Description of Business	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Description of the Business [Abstract]
Description of the Business [Text Block]	Description of the Business Spire Corporation ("Spire" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and markets highly-engineered products and services in two principal business areas: (i) capital equipment and systems for the photovoltaic solar industry and (ii) biomedical, generally bringing to bear expertise in materials technologies, surface science and thin films across both business areas, discussed below. In the photovoltaic solar area, the Company develops, manufactures and markets specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells and provides photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets. The Company's equipment has been installed in approximately 200 factories in 50 countries. The equipment market is very competitive with major competitors located in Japan and Europe. The Company's flagship product is its Sun Simulator which tests module performance. The Company's other product offerings include turn-key module lines and to a lesser extent other individual equipment. To compete the Company offers other services such as training and assistance with module certification. The Company also provides turn-key services to its customers to backward integrate to solar cell manufacturing. At times, the Company supplies materials such as solar cells to certain customers. In the biomedical area, the Company provides value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial characteristics or other material characteristics of their products; and performs sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies. On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its medical products business unit, which develops and markets coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (the “Medical Products Business Unit”), to Bard Access Systems, Inc. (“Bard”). Accordingly, the the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 12 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provides semiconductor foundry services, operates a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and is engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets (the “Semiconductor Business Unit”), to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo"). Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 12 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating results will depend upon revenue growth and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from the Company’s solar equipment line, delivery of solar systems and solar materials. Export sales, which amounted to 29% and 57% of net sales and revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and 70% and 58% of net sales and revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, continue to contribute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues. The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations in 2012 and 2011. Operating loss from continuing operations was $2.0 million and $5.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Operating loss from continuing operations was $1.0 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which includes $3.7 million of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which includes $1.1 million of cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $5.2 million compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2011. The Company has various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as it has done in the past; however, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is December 29, 2012 and the Company has commenced preliminary discussions with the Bank with respect to the renewal and extension of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility. The Company has developed several plans including cost containment efforts and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions. Accordingly, based on the forecasts and estimates underlying the Company's current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

Description of the Business

Spire Corporation ("Spire" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and markets highly-engineered products and services in two principal business areas: (i) capital equipment and systems for the photovoltaic solar industry and (ii) biomedical, generally bringing to bear expertise in materials technologies, surface science and thin films across both business areas, discussed below.

In the photovoltaic solar area, the Company develops, manufactures and markets specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells and provides photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets. The Company's equipment has been installed in approximately 200 factories in 50 countries. The equipment market is very competitive with major competitors located in Japan and Europe. The Company's flagship product is its Sun Simulator which tests module performance. The Company's other product offerings include turn-key module lines and to a lesser extent other individual equipment. To compete the Company offers other services such as training and assistance with module certification. The Company also provides turn-key services to its customers to backward integrate to solar cell manufacturing. At times, the Company supplies materials such as solar cells to certain customers.

In the biomedical area, the Company provides value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial characteristics or other material characteristics of their products; and performs sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies.

On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its medical products business unit, which develops and markets coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (the “Medical Products Business Unit”), to Bard Access Systems, Inc. (“Bard”). Accordingly, the the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 12 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provides semiconductor foundry services, operates a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and is engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets (the “Semiconductor Business Unit”), to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo"). Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 12 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Operating results will depend upon revenue growth and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from the Company’s solar equipment line, delivery of solar systems and solar materials. Export sales, which amounted to 29% and 57% of net sales and revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and 70% and 58% of net sales and revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, continue to contribute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues.

The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations in 2012 and 2011. Operating loss from continuing operations was $2.0 million and $5.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Operating loss from continuing operations was $1.0 million and $1.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which includes $3.7 million of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which includes $1.1 million of cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $5.2 million compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2011. The Company has various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as it has done in the past; however, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is December 29, 2012 and the Company has commenced preliminary discussions with the Bank with respect to the renewal and extension of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility. The Company has developed several plans including cost containment efforts and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions. Accordingly, based on the forecasts and estimates underlying the Company's current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.