Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

6. Equity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we issued 5,037 of our Class A common shares under our 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan to our independent directors, in lieu of cash compensation, for services rendered in 2011 and issued 15,200 of our Class A common shares upon exercise of options under our 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

During the third quarter of 2011, we repurchased 518,762 of our Class A common shares for a total cost of $1.9 million. We recorded this repurchase of our shares in accordance with the cost method of accounting for treasury stock. Because we have not decided the ultimate disposition of the re-acquired shares, their cost is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.

The following is a reconciliation from December 31, 2010 to September 30, 2011 of the carrying amount of total equity, equity attributable to Gaiam, Inc., and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

(in thousands)	Total			Comprehensive Loss			Gaiam, Inc. Shareholders
							Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Class A and Class B Common Stock		Paid-in Capital			Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	169,126		$	—		$	(5,704	)	$	114		$	3	$	157,610		$	17,103
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock, including related taxes, and share-based compensation		831			—			—			—			—		831			—
Repurchase of stock		(1,909	)		—			—			—			—		(1,909	)		—
Issuance of subsidiary common stock and share-based compensation		398			—			—			—			—		174			224
Subsidiary's equity consideration in conjunction with an acquisition		20,750			—			—			—			—		1,672			19,078
Subsidiary's repurchase of stock		(1,070	)		—			—			—			—		(125	)		(945	)
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss		(7,108	)		(7,108	)		(6,370	)		—			—		—			(738	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $17		(36	)		(36	)		—			(18	)		—		—			(18	)
Comprehensive loss		(7,144	)	$	(7,144	)		—			—			—		—			—
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	180,982					$	(12,074	)	$	96		$	3	$	158,253		$	34,704

The following schedule reflects the effect of changes in Gaiam, Inc.'s ownership interest in Real Goods on Gaiam, Inc.'s equity.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share data)	2011			2010
Net income (loss) attributable to Gaiam, Inc.	$	(6,370	)	$	59
Increase in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for the issuance of 23,464 and 18,392 Real Goods Solar Class A common shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and for share-based compensation		174			139
Increase in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for Real Goods Solar's equity consideration in conjunction with its acquisition of Alteris		1,672			—
Decrease in Gaiam, Inc.'s paid-in capital for Real Goods Solar's repurchase of 379,400 of its Class A common shares		(125	)		—
Change from net income (loss) attributable to Gaiam, Inc. and transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interest	$	(4,649	)	$	198

Real Goods Solar (our 55.7% owned solar subsidiary)

Real Goods Solar, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, issued 23,464 of its Class A common shares valued at $64 thousand to compensate independent board members for services rendered during 2011.

On June 30, 2011, Real Goods Solar repurchased 379,400 of its Class A common shares in a negotiated transaction for a total cost of $1.1 million. Real Goods Solar recorded this repurchase of its shares in accordance with the cost method of accounting for treasury stock. Real Goods Solar has not yet decided the ultimate disposition of the re-acquired shares.

Following these transactions, we owned 55.7% of Real Goods Solar's shares and 78.7% of Real Goods Solar's equity voting rights. Upon consummation of Real Goods Solar's acquisition of Alteris, we will own approximately 38% of Real Goods Solar's shares and 64% of Real Goods Solar's equity voting rights.

Gaiam and Real Goods Solar both valued the shares issued to their respective independent directors at estimated fair value based on the closing price of their respective stock on the date the shares were issued, which by policy is the last trading day of each quarter in which the services were rendered.