Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue                      
Net revenue $ 59,820 $ 53,165 $ 35,229 $ 26,418 $ 31,095 $ 34,593 $ 20,007 $ 14,458      
Net revenue                 $ 174,632 $ 100,153 $ 82,819
Sales of fuel cell systems                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                 75,146    
Sale of hydrogen installations and other infrastructure                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                 32,146    
Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue 5,672 5,156 5,691 5,483 5,706 2,217 3,908 4,372 22,002 16,202 17,347
Power Purchase Agreements                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue 6,504 5,555 5,438 5,372 5,276 (1,663) 4,945 4,311 22,869 12,869 13,687
Fuel delivered to customers                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue $ 6,453 $ 5,786 $ 5,280 $ 4,950 5,384 (4,149) 3,440 3,491 $ 22,469 8,167 10,916
Other                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue         $ 5 $ 128 $ 64 $ 87   284 $ 884
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   100,153  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Sales of fuel cell systems                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   49,179  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Sale of hydrogen installations and other infrastructure                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   13,452  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   16,202  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Power Purchase Agreements                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   12,869  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Fuel delivered to customers                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   8,167  
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Other                      
Revenue                      
Net revenue                   $ 284