Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	1. Nature of Operations *Description of Business* Plug Power Inc., or the Company, is a leading provider of alternative energy technology and is involved in the design, development, commercialization and manufacture of fuel cell systems for the industrial off-road (forklift or material handling) market. We are focused on proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell and fuel processing technologies and fuel cell/battery hybrid technologies, from which multiple products are available. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat without combustion. Hydrogen is derived from hydrocarbon fuels such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, propane, methanol, ethanol, gasoline or biofuels. Hydrogen can also be obtained from the electrolysis of water. Hydrogen can be purchased directly from industrial gas providers or can be produced on-site at consumer locations. We concentrate our efforts on developing, manufacturing and selling our hydrogen-fueled PEM GenDrive^® products on commercial terms for industrial off-road (forklift or material handling) applications, with a focus on multi-shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites. On February 29, 2012 the Company completed the formation of its joint venture with Axane, S.A., a subsidiary of Air Liquide, under the name HyPulsion (the JV). The principal purpose of the JV will be to develop and sell hydrogen fuel cell systems for the European material handling market. Axane contributed cash at the closing and will make additional fixed cash contributions in 2013 and 2014 in exchange for 55% ownership of the JV, subject to certain conditions. The Company contributed the right to use its technology, including design and technology know-how on GenDrive systems, to the JV in exchange for 45% ownership of the JV. The Company has not contributed any cash to the JV and is not obligated to contribute any cash. The Company has an option in the future to contribute cash and become a majority owner of the JV. The Company will share in 45% of the profits from the JV and is accounting for the JV under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Subtopic 323-10, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures – Overall. The formation of the JV did not result in a gain or loss recorded by the Company and, as of March 31, 2012, the Company had a zero basis for its investment in the JV. In accordance with the equity method of accounting, the Company will increase its investment in the JV by its share of any earnings. We have previously invested in development and sales activities for low-temperature remote-prime power GenSys^® products and our GenCore^® product, which is a hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system to provide back-up power for critical infrastructure. While Plug Power will continue to service and support GenSys and/or GenCore products on a limited basis, our main focus is our GenDrive product line. We sell our products worldwide, with a primary focus on North America, through our direct product sales force, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealer networks. We sell to business, industrial and government customers. We were organized in the State of Delaware on June 27, 1997 and became a public company listed on the NASDAQ exchange on October 29, 1999. We were originally a joint venture between Edison Development Corporation and Mechanical Technology Incorporated. In 2007, we acquired all the issued and outstanding equity of Cellex Power Products, Inc. (Cellex) and General Hydrogen Corporation (General Hydrogen). Through these acquisitions, and our continued GenDrive product development efforts, Plug Power became the first fuel cell company to offer a complete suite of products: Class 1 - sit-down counterbalance trucks, Class 2 – stand-up reach trucks and Class 3 – rider pallet trucks. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Plug Power,” “we,” “our” or “us” as used herein refers to Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries. *Liquidity* As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately $29.1 million of working capital, which includes $20.8 million of cash and cash equivalents to fund our future operations. Additionally, as of March 30, 2012, we executed a Second Loan Modification Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank which increased our credit facility, providing us access of up to $15 million in financing, subject to borrowing base limitations, to support working capital needs (See Note 14, Loan and Security Agreement, of the condensed consolidated financial statements). We believe that our current cash, cash equivalents and cash generated from future sales, in conjunction with the availability of the credit facility, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund operations into 2013. This projection is based on our current expectations regarding product sales, cost structure, and cash burn rate and operating assumptions. In the event that our operating expenses are higher than anticipated or the gross margins and shipments of our GenDrive products do not increase as we expect, we may be required to implement contingency plans within our control to conserve and/or enhance our liquidity to meet operating needs. Such plans include: our ability to further reduce discretionary expenses, monetize our real estate assets through a sale-leaseback arrangement and obtain additional funding from licensing the use of our technologies. Our cash requirements relate primarily to working capital needed to operate and grow our business, including funding operating expenses, growth in inventory to support both shipments of new units and servicing the installed base, and continued development and expansion of our products. Our ability to achieve profitability and meet future liquidity needs and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the timing and quantity of product orders and shipments, the timing and amount of our operating expenses; the timing and costs of working capital needs; the timing and costs of building a sales base; the timing and costs of developing marketing and distribution channels; the timing and costs of product service requirements; the timing and costs of hiring and training product staff; the extent to which our products gain market acceptance; the timing and costs of product development and introductions; the extent of our ongoing and any new research and development programs; and changes in our strategy or our planned activities. As a result, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to fund our operations beyond 2013 without additional external financing. If additional funding is required beyond 2013, alternatives the Company would consider include equity or debt financings, strategic alliances or joint ventures. Under such conditions, if we are unable to obtain additional capital in 2013, we may not be able to sustain our future and may be required to delay, reduce and/or cease our operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection. We cannot assure you that any necessary additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. Given the difficult current economic environment, we believe that it could be difficult to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance as to the availability of additional financing or the terms upon which additional financing may be available. Additionally, even if we raise sufficient capital through equity or debt financing, strategic alliances or otherwise, there can be no assurances that the revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to enable us to develop our business to a level where it will be profitable or generate positive cash flow. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur additional debt, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, thus limiting funds available for our business activities. The terms of any debt securities issued could also impose significant restrictions on our operations. Broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance, and may adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and/or licensing arrangements, we might be required to relinquish significant rights to our technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

Plug Power Inc., or the Company, is a leading provider of alternative energy technology and is involved in the design, development, commercialization and manufacture of fuel cell systems for the industrial off-road (forklift or material handling) market.

We are focused on proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell and fuel processing technologies and fuel cell/battery hybrid technologies, from which multiple products are available. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat without combustion. Hydrogen is derived from hydrocarbon fuels such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, propane, methanol, ethanol, gasoline or biofuels. Hydrogen can also be obtained from the electrolysis of water. Hydrogen can be purchased directly from industrial gas providers or can be produced on-site at consumer locations.

We concentrate our efforts on developing, manufacturing and selling our hydrogen-fueled PEM GenDrive^® products on commercial terms for industrial off-road (forklift or material handling) applications, with a focus on multi-shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites.

On February 29, 2012 the Company completed the formation of its joint venture with Axane, S.A., a subsidiary of Air Liquide, under the name HyPulsion (the JV). The principal purpose of the JV will be to develop and sell hydrogen fuel cell systems for the European material handling market. Axane contributed cash at the closing and will make additional fixed cash contributions in 2013 and 2014 in exchange for 55% ownership of the JV, subject to certain conditions. The Company contributed the right to use its technology, including design and technology know-how on GenDrive systems, to the JV in exchange for 45% ownership of the JV. The Company has not contributed any cash to the JV and is not obligated to contribute any cash. The Company has an option in the future to contribute cash and become a majority owner of the JV. The Company will share in 45% of the profits from the JV and is accounting for the JV under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Subtopic 323-10, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures – Overall. The formation of the JV did not result in a gain or loss recorded by the Company and, as of March 31, 2012, the Company had a zero basis for its investment in the JV. In accordance with the equity method of accounting, the Company will increase its investment in the JV by its share of any earnings.

We have previously invested in development and sales activities for low-temperature remote-prime power GenSys^® products and our GenCore^® product, which is a hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system to provide back-up power for critical infrastructure. While Plug Power will continue to service and support GenSys and/or GenCore products on a limited basis, our main focus is our GenDrive product line.

We sell our products worldwide, with a primary focus on North America, through our direct product sales force, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their dealer networks. We sell to business, industrial and government customers.

We were organized in the State of Delaware on June 27, 1997 and became a public company listed on the NASDAQ exchange on October 29, 1999. We were originally a joint venture between Edison Development Corporation and Mechanical Technology Incorporated. In 2007, we acquired all the issued and outstanding equity of Cellex Power Products, Inc. (Cellex) and General Hydrogen Corporation (General Hydrogen). Through these acquisitions, and our continued GenDrive product development efforts, Plug Power became the first fuel cell company to offer a complete suite of products: Class 1 - sit-down counterbalance trucks, Class 2 – stand-up reach trucks and Class 3 – rider pallet trucks.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Plug Power,” “we,” “our” or “us” as used herein refers to Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately $29.1 million of working capital, which includes $20.8 million of cash and cash equivalents to fund our future operations. Additionally, as of March 30, 2012, we executed a Second Loan Modification Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank which increased our credit facility, providing us access of up to $15 million in financing, subject to borrowing base limitations, to support working capital needs (See Note 14, Loan and Security Agreement, of the condensed consolidated financial statements). We believe that our current cash, cash equivalents and cash generated from future sales, in conjunction with the availability of the credit facility, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund operations into 2013. This projection is based on our current expectations regarding product sales, cost structure, and cash burn rate and operating assumptions. In the event that our operating expenses are higher than anticipated or the gross margins and shipments of our GenDrive products do not increase as we expect, we may be required to implement contingency plans within our control to conserve and/or enhance our liquidity to meet operating needs. Such plans include: our ability to further reduce discretionary expenses, monetize our real estate assets through a sale-leaseback arrangement and obtain additional funding from licensing the use of our technologies. Our cash requirements relate primarily to working capital needed to operate and grow our business, including funding operating expenses, growth in inventory to support both shipments of new units and servicing the installed base, and continued development and expansion of our products. Our ability to achieve profitability and meet future liquidity needs and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the timing and quantity of product orders and shipments, the timing and amount of our operating expenses; the timing and costs of working capital needs; the timing and costs of building a sales base; the timing and costs of developing marketing and distribution channels; the timing and costs of product service requirements; the timing and costs of hiring and training product staff; the extent to which our products gain market acceptance; the timing and costs of product development and introductions; the extent of our ongoing and any new research and development programs; and changes in our strategy or our planned activities. As a result, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to fund our operations beyond 2013 without additional external financing. If additional funding is required beyond 2013, alternatives the Company would consider include equity or debt financings, strategic alliances or joint ventures. Under such conditions, if we are unable to obtain additional capital in 2013, we may not be able to sustain our future and may be required to delay, reduce and/or cease our operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection. We cannot assure you that any necessary additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. Given the difficult current economic environment, we believe that it could be difficult to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance as to the availability of additional financing or the terms upon which additional financing may be available. Additionally, even if we raise sufficient capital through equity or debt financing, strategic alliances or otherwise, there can be no assurances that the revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to enable us to develop our business to a level where it will be profitable or generate positive cash flow. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur additional debt, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, thus limiting funds available for our business activities. The terms of any debt securities issued could also impose significant restrictions on our operations. Broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance, and may adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and/or licensing arrangements, we might be required to relinquish significant rights to our technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.