Description of Business	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
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 provide 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 the U.S., 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. 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 March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provided semiconductor foundry services, operated a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and was 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 13 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating results will depend upon revenue growth or decline and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from our solar equipment line and delivery of solar systems. Export sales, which amounted to 30% and 65% of net sales and revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues. The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations. Operating loss from continuing operations was $2.6 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $790 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which includes $1.6 million of cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million compared to $3.0 million as of December 31, 2012. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is June 29, 2013. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company currently believes that its existing cash resources at March 31, 2013, will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2013; however, the Company cannot assure you of this. 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 Company has developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expanding revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions. The Company's inability to successfully implement its cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew its credit facilities, could adversely impact the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. 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 provide 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 the U.S., 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.

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 March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provided semiconductor foundry services, operated a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and was 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 13 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Operating results will depend upon revenue growth or decline and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from our solar equipment line and delivery of solar systems. Export sales, which amounted to 30% and 65% of net sales and revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues.

The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations. Operating loss from continuing operations was $2.6 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $790 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.2 million

for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which includes $1.6 million of cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million compared to $3.0 million as of December 31, 2012. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is June 29, 2013. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company currently believes that its existing cash resources at March 31, 2013, will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2013; however, the Company cannot assure you of this.

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 Company has developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expanding revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions. The Company's inability to successfully implement its cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew its credit facilities, could adversely impact the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

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.