Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Mar. 10, 2017
Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information:      
Entity Registrant Name PLUG POWER INC    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2016    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Central Index Key 0001093691    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   191,185,084  
Entity Public Float     $ 332,655,420
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY