Name:	plug_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalOwnershipIInterestPurchasedByCounterparty
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The percentage of share in profits of investee accounted for under the equity method.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of remaining ownership interest to be acquired by entity upon exercise of its right to purchase an additional interest in joint venture.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of additional ownership interest of the joint venture that can be purchased by entity from counterparty between specified time at a formula price.

No definition available.

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

The maximum term of extended warranty contracts sold by the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_TermOfExtendedWarrantyContractsMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The minimum term of extended warranty contracts sold by the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_TermOfExtendedWarrantyContractsMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of unbilled amounts from product and service revenues, which is included in other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_UnbilledProductAndServiceRevenues
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 13

-Section A

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

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

This item represents the amount of net sales proceeds received on disposal of an equity method investment.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 35

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35687916&loc=d3e32847-111569

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

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount of revenue from sale of goods and services reduced by sales returns, allowances, and discounts reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

No definition available.