Earnings Per Share (Parentheticals) (Details 1) (Common stock warrants)	Mar. 29, 2012	May 31, 2011
Common stock warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants granted		7,128,563
Number of warrants	9,421,008

Number of additional outstanding derivative securities that permit the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specified price.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_AdditionalNumberOfWarrantsIncreased
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant