Amount, before accumulated depreciation, of lessor's underlying asset for which right to use has been conveyed to lessee under operating lease.

No definition available.

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

Equipment Related to Power Purchase Agreements and Fuel Delivered to Customers, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor property and equipment related to power purchase agreements	$ 92,736				$ 81,194
Less: accumulated depreciation	(16,929)				(13,425)
Lessor property and equipment related to power purchase agreements, net	$ 75,807	$ 71,891	$ 68,428	$ 68,402	67,769	$ 67,248	$ 68,982	$ 70,928
Restatement Adjustments
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor property and equipment related to power purchase agreements, net		$ (237,584)	$ (206,293)	$ (184,400)	$ (176,971)	$ (134,786)	$ (101,473)	$ (70,961)