Solar shares. A new IPO? Not quite. The idea behind solar shares is that residents can invest in "shares" of a solar array built on top of a state owned building. In Ashland, Oregon, shares run for $1000, and the revenues produced by the solar array is deducted from the energy bill of the 'shareholder'. With individual residential purchase and installation of solar panels for powering a home still on the expensive side, this collective approach looks like a more affordable and easy way to incorporate solar energy into your day to day life.

-via Treehugger