This element represents current liability of finance obligation as of balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_FinanceObligationCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents noncurrent liability of finance obligation as of balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_FinanceObligationNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of standby letter of credit during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_NumberOfStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 11-15 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PaymentsForElevenToFifteenYears
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 6-10 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PaymentsForSixToTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents percentage of standby letters collateralized by cash balances.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PercentageCollateralizedByCashBalances
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 1-5 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A description of the terms of the standby letters of credit are renewable for a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_StandbyLettersRenewableTerm
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents total standby letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_TotalStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The financing cost related to leases that have been recorded under the deposit method, as a financing or as a capital leases in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Imputed Interest Rate

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515215

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A description of the terms of the lease(s) related to the assets being leased-back in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 98

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6456341&loc=d3e50796-112755

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6456341&loc=d3e50796-112755

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 98

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net book value of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 98

-Section Appendix A

-Paragraph 28, 29

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 50

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 51

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=9155692&loc=d3e51840-112757

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Other amounts the seller-lessee is required to pay under the terms of the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and lease of the property back to the seller, including reimbursements for such items, as utilities, taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionOtherPaymentsRequired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 27, 2013 Standby_Letter_Of_Credit	May 27, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 27, 2013 Buyer	Sep. 30, 2011 Line Of Credit Silicon Valley Bank
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit, face amount					$ 525,000
Term of Building sale leaseback	15 Years			15 Years
Monthly payments for 1-5 years				38,297
Monthly payments for 6-10 years				41,243
Monthly payments for 11-15 years				44,189
Finance obligation			2,544,331
Current portion finance obligation			54,000
Number of standby letters of credit	2
Total standby letters of credit	750,000
Percent collateralized by cash balances	100.00%
Standby letters of credit renewable term	10 Years
Restricted cash			750,000
Aggregate purchase price on sale-leaseback transaction		2,725,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Other Payments Required	1,750,000
Annual interest	5.00%
Equal monthly installments	$ 13,839