Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	May 06, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document and Entity Information:
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Entity File Number	1-34392
Entity Registrant Name	Plug Power Inc
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-3672377
Entity Address, Address Line One	968 ALBANY SHAKER ROAD
Entity Address, City or Town	LATHAM
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	12110
City Area Code	518
Local Phone Number	782-7700
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	PLUG
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Interactive Data Current	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		568,317,504
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Entity Central Index Key	0001093691
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 2,733,184,540