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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company derives its revenues from continuing operations from three primary sources: (1) commercial products including, but not limited to, solar energy manufacturing equipment, solar energy systems and solar energy materials; (2) biomedical processing services; and (3) United States government funded research and development contracts.
The Company generally recognizes product revenue upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met at the time of shipment when the risk of loss and title passes to the customer.
The Company's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) capital equipment solar energy business builds complex customized machines to order for specific customers.  Most orders are sold on a FOB Bedford, Massachusetts (or EX-Works Factory) basis and other orders are sold on a Carriage and Insurance Paid (or CIP), or on rare situations, a Delivery Duty Unpaid (or DDU) basis. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for this equipment when title of the product has passed to the customer, provided that customer acceptance is obtained prior to shipment and the equipment is expected to operate the same in the customer's environment as it does in the Company's environment.  When an arrangement with the customer includes future obligations or customer acceptance, revenue is recognized when those obligations are met or customer acceptance has been achieved.  Typically, the Company is able to separate arrangements with multiple elements into more than one unit of accounting as it relates to the passage of title, training and installation services when no right of return exists. The Company allocates total fees under contract to each element using the relative selling price method and revenue is recognized upon delivery of each element. The Company's management performs extensive analysis to determine the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. The Company allocates revenue in arrangements using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price exists.  The Company determines estimated selling price ("ESP") of each deliverable based on a number of factors, including internal costs, gross margin targets and historical sales of similar units, as well as external factors such as market and competitive conditions.

The Company's solar systems business provides photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these systems when title passes, the customer accepts the system installation and interconnection to the grid is achieved.

The Company's solar materials business supplies photovoltaic materials under a United States government contact.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these materials as title passes and the government accepts the materials.

The Company's biomedical business provides advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic devices. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues from these services when services are provided to the customer.

The Company recognizes revenues and estimated profits on long-term government contracts on a percent complete basis where the circumstances are such that total profit can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and ultimate realization is reasonably assured. The Company records revenue and profit utilizing the percentage of completion method using a cost-to-cost methodology. A percentage of the contract revenues and estimated profits is determined utilizing the ratio of costs incurred to date to total estimated cost to complete on a contract by contract basis. Profit estimates are revised periodically based upon changes in facts, and any losses on contracts are recognized immediately. Some of the contracts include provisions to withhold a portion of the contract value as retainage until such time as the United States government performs an audit of the cost incurred under the contract.  The Company's policy is to take into revenue the full value of the contract, including any retainage, as it performs against the contract since the Company has not experienced any substantial losses as a result of audits performed by the United States government.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.  Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, and at times may exceed federally insured limits.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had restricted cash in the amount of $21 thousand to secure the Company's obligations under a purchase and sale agreement.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Available-for-Sale Investments

Available-for-sale investments consist of assets held as part of the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. These investments have been classified as available-for-sale investments and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The unrealized gain on these marketable securities was $222 thousand and $201 thousand as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis.  Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers.  Historical inventory usage, forecasted demand and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventory. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, as follows:

Equipment under capital lease
Lesser of 5 years or remaining life of lease
Machinery and equipment
5 and 7 years
Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment
3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of 10 years or remaining life of lease

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are added to property and equipment accounts at cost
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Intangible and Other Assets

Patents amounted to $111 thousand and $137 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $822 thousand and $767 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Licenses amounted to $60 thousand and $65 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $15 thousand and $10 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Patent cost is primarily composed of cost associated with securing and registering patents that the Company has been awarded or that have been submitted to, and the Company believes will be approved by the government. License cost is composed of the cost to acquire rights to the underlying technology or know-how. These costs are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives or terms, ordinarily five years, using the straight-line method. There are no expected residual values related to these patents. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $99 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 which includes $38 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $228 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011 which includes $160 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year.

The table below includes future amortization expense for patents and licenses owned by the Company as well as estimated amortization expense related to patents that remain pending at December 31, 2012 of $68 thousand. This estimated expense for patents pending assumes that the patents are issued immediately, and therefore are being amortized over five years on a straight-line basis. Estimated amortization expense for the period ending December 31, is as follows:
(in thousands)
Amortization Expense
2013
$
68

2014
60

2015
36

2016
22

2017
19

2018 and future
34

 
$
239



Also included in other assets are refundable deposits made by the Company of approximately $154 thousand and $163 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification 360-10-5-4, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-5-4 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company measures recoverability of assets and /or asset groups to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset and/or asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset and/or asset groups. If such assets and/or asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets and/or asset groups exceed the fair value of the assets. The Company reports assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company evaluated long-lived assets for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and determined that the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows of the assets and/or asset groups exceeded the carrying amount of the assets for both years.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, the Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  The Company evaluates this tax position on a quarterly basis using a two-step process.  The first step is a determination of whether the tax position should be recognized in the financial statements and the second step is the measurement of the tax position.  The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense, related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company’s evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the tax years which remain subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdictions
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Warranty

The Company provides warranties on certain of its products and services. The Company’s warranty programs are described below:

Spire Solar generally warrants solar manufacturing equipment sold for a total of 360 days, which include the replacement of defective component parts and the labor to correct the defect. On occasion, extended warranties will be given to certain customers of solar manufacturing equipment for up to an additional 360 days.

Spire Biomedical warrants that its services will meet the agreed upon specifications.

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties, determined primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized.  Should actual product failure warranties differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.  Product warranty liabilities are included in accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  The changes in the product warranties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:
(in thousands) 
 

Balance at December 31, 2010
$
894

Provision charged to income
507

Usage
(588
)
Balance at December 31, 2011
813

Reduction to reserve
(63
)
Usage
(278
)
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
472
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Internal Research and Development Costs     

Internal research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Company funded research and development costs were approximately $233 thousand and $776 thousand, respectively
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Loss Per Share
 
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share gives effect to all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. The Company did not pay any dividends in 2012 and 2011
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Besides the reported net loss, other comprehensive loss includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of an unrealized gain of available-for-sale investments of approximately $21 thousand and an unrealized loss of available-for-sale investments of approximately $245 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]
Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of stock option grants. ASC 718 requires the fair value of all share-based awards that are expected to vest to be recognized in the statements of operations over the service or vesting period of each award. The Company uses the straight-line method of attributing the value of share-based compensation expense for all stock option grants over the requisite service period
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  The significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, reserves for doubtful accounts, the assessment of excess and obsolete inventory, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes and warranty reserves.  Actual results could differ from those estimates
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments of the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revolving line of credit and capital leases. The Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2012 also include available-for-sale investments measured at fair value. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign Currency

The Company sells almost exclusively in U.S. dollars, generally against an irrevocable confirmed letter of credit through a major United States bank. Accordingly, the Company is not directly affected by foreign exchange fluctuations on its current sales orders. However, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have an effect on the Company’s customers’ access to U.S. dollars and on the pricing competition on certain pieces of equipment that the Company sells in selected markets.  The Company bears the risk of any currency fluctuations that may be associated with these commitments.  The Company attempts to hedge known transactions when possible to minimize foreign exchange risk.  The Company had no hedging activity in 2012 and 2011. Foreign exchange gain (loss) included in other expense, net was a loss of approximately $7 thousand and a gain of approximately $8 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Segment Information

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, requires public entities to report certain information about operating segments. Based on the guidance provided in ASC 280, the Company has determined that its business is conducted in three reportable segments: solar, biomedical and corporate
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 855, Subsequent Events. Through the date of this filing, the Company did not have any material subsequent events that impacted its consolidated financial statements or disclosures
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
New Accounting Standards

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The update requires companies to disclose information about financial instruments that have been offset and related arrangements to enable users of their financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial position. Companies will be required to provide both net (offset amounts) and gross information in the notes to the financial statements for relevant assets and liabilities that are offset. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, entities must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012, which only changed the manner of comprehensive income presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 ("ASU 2011-12"), Comprehensive Income: Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. As part of this update, the FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, an amendment to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The update revises the application of the valuation premise of highest and best use of an asset, the application of premiums and discounts for fair value determination, as well as the required disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measures and the highest and best use of nonfinancial assets. The update provides additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements and clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and the application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements