Document and Entity Information: Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Changes in stockholders' equity Entity Registrant Name Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Filer Category Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Restricted Cash and Investments, Current Restricted cash Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts receivable Inventory, Net Inventory Total inventory Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Restricted cash Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Excluding Capital Leased Assets Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $29,204 and $27,970, respectively Property, plant, and equipment, net Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net Leased property under capital lease, net Leased property, net Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Other Assets Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock, and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses Total Amount of accrual for loss expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Accrual for loss contracts, Current Accrual for loss contracts related to service Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenue Represents the amount of current portion of finance obligation in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller. Financing Transaction Finance Obligation Amount Current Finance obligations Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Amount of accrual for loss expected to be resolved after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Accrual for loss contracts, Noncurrent Accrual for loss contracts related to service Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Deferred revenue Warrants and Rights Outstanding Common stock warrant liability Represents the amount of noncurrent portion of finance obligation in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller. Financing Transaction Finance Obligation Amount Finance obligations Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Temporary Equity [Abstract] Redeemable preferred stock Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent Redeemable preferred stock Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized; Issued (including shares in treasury): 181,009,135 at September 30, 2016 and 180,567,444 at December 31, 2015 Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated deficit Treasury Stock, Value Less common stock in treasury: 582,328 at December 31, 2016 and 479,953 December 31, 2015 Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock, and stockholders' equity Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Excluding Capital Leased Assets Less: accumulated depreciation Property, plant, and equipment, accumulated depreciation Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation Less: accumulated depreciation Leased property under capital lease, accumulated depreciation Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Accumulated amortization Accumulated amortization Temporary Equity, Par or Stated Value Per Share Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Redeemable stock issued, stated value (in dollars per share) Temporary Equity, Shares Authorized Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock, shares authorized Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock, shares issued Redeemable stock issued (in shares) Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock, shares outstanding Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock, aggregate involuntary liquidation preference (in dollars) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common Stock, shares issued Treasury Stock, Shares Common stock in treasury, shares Consolidated Statements of Operations Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered to fuel cell systems and related infrastructure, after deducting allowances and discounts. Service Revenue on Fuel Cell System and Infrastructure Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure Sales Revenue, Services, Net Power Purchase Agreements Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts. Service Revenue Fuel delivered to customers Other Revenue, Net Other Revenues Total revenue Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Cost of revenue: Cost of Goods Sold Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure Aggregate cost of revenue during the period. Cost Of Service Revenue on Fuel Cell System and Infrastructure Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure Represents the provision for loss contracts related to service. Provision for Loss Contracts Related to Service Provision for loss contracts related to service Provision Provision The aggregate cost of power purchased during the reporting period. Cost Of Power Purchase Agreements Power Purchase Agreements Cost of Services Fuel delivered to customers Other Cost of Operating Revenue Other Cost of Revenue Total cost of revenue Gross Profit Gross profit (loss) Gross (loss) profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Research and Development Expense Research and development Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Operating Expenses Operating expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating loss Operating loss Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest and other (expense) income, net Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Loss before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss attributable to the Company Net loss attributable to the Company Net loss attributable to the Company Net loss attributable to the Company Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact Preferred stock dividends declared Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss attributable to common shareholders Net loss attributable to common shareholders Net loss attributable to common shareholders Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Net loss per share: (Loss) income per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive loss Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in-Capital Aoci Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Deficit Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock based compensation (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Dividend Stock dividend Number of shares issued during the period as a stock dividend. Stock Issued During Period Share Stock Dividend Stock dividend (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Public offering, common stock, net Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Shares of common stock issuances Public offering, common stock, net (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock option exercises Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Exercised (in shares) Stock option exercises (in shares) Value of shares issued as a result of the exercise of warrants. Stock Issued During Period Value, Exercise of Warrants Exercise of warrants Number of shares issued as a result of the exercise of warrants. Stock Issued During Period Shares Exercise of Warrants Exercise of warrants (in shares) Shares issued result of exercise of warrants (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Shares issued for acquisition Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Shares issued for acquisition (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Conversion of preferred stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Shares issued upon conversion of redeemable stock (in shares) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation, Nonproduction Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and leased property Depreciation Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangible assets Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss), Net Loss on acquisition activity, net Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization and accelerated recognition of debt issuance costs Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposal of leased property Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provide (use) cash, net of effects of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses, product warranty reserve and other liabilities Represents the losses realized on loss contracts Loss Contracts, Losses Realized Accrual for loss contracts related to service Reduction for losses realized Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Equipment on Lease Purchase for construction of leased property Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Net cash acquired in purchase acquisitions Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and leased property Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Change in restricted cash Proceeds from Warrant Exercises Proceeds from exercise of warrants Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock The cash outflow for cost incurred directly with the issuance of a preferred stock. Payments Of Preference Stock Issuance Costs Preferred stock issuance costs Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury stock Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants The cash outflow for cost incurred directly with the issuance of a common stock. Payments of Common Stock Issuance Costs Common stock issuance costs Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds from Short-term Debt Proceeds from short-term borrowing, net of transaction costs Repayments of Short-term Debt Principal payments on short-term borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from borrowing of long-term debt, net of transaction costs Repayments of Long-term Debt Principal payments on long-term debt The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amounts payable to vendors for goods and services received and the amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid. Increase (Decrease) in Financing Transaction, Finance Obligation Increase in finance obligations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Other Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest Paid Cash paid for interest The value of shares issued as [noncash or part noncash] consideration for a business or asset acquired. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration Value Issued Noncash investing activity - issuance of common stock for acquisitions n/a Nature of Operations. Nature of Operations [Text Block] Nature of Operations Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Acquisitions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Inventory. Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, Plant and Equipment {1} Property, Plant and Equipment Leased Property Capital Leases in Financial Statements of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Leased Property Intangible Assets. Intangible Assets {1} Intangible Assets Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Short-term Debt [Text Block] Short-Term Borrowing Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Warranty Reserve and Accrual for Loss Contracts Related to Service Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Warranty Reserve and Accrual for Loss Contracts Related to Service Stockholders' Equity. Stockholders' Equity Redeemable Preferred Stock