Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (12,948)	$ (11,779)	$ (8,905)	$ (4,154)	$ (51,208)	$ (29,684)	$ (38,883)	$ (38,883)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation					3,425	3,157	2,908
Gain from change in fair value of embedded derivatives					(14)	(23)	(126)
Make whole derivative expense					0	0	8,347
Depreciation					4,949	4,099	4,384
Amortization of convertible note discount and non-cash interest expense					3,207	1,830	2,140
Foreign Currency Transaction Gains					(324)	(2,075)	(571)
Other non-cash transactions					451	412	146
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Accounts receivable					30,235	3,173	(15,378)
Inventories					(8,052)	(10,100)	1,059
Project assets					0	(11,398)	0
Other assets					(837)	1,022	3,417
(Decrease) increase in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable					(3,019)	(7,224)	(1,566)
Accrued liabilities					1,240	6,435	(11,056)
Deferred revenue					(26,648)	(3,898)	(12,289)
Net cash used in operating activities					(46,595)	(44,274)	(57,468)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures					(7,726)	(6,930)	(6,295)
Expenditures for long-term project assets					(33,726)	0	(784)
Net cash used in investing activities					(41,452)	(6,930)	(7,079)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt					(30,452)	(1,535)	(5,971)
Proceeds from debt					85,935	6,763	250
Payments of deferred finance costs					(1,758)	0	0
Purchase of non-controlling shares of subsidiary					(3)	0
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of registration fees					70,929	27,060	105,844
Payment of preferred dividends and return of capital					(4,170)	(4,202)	(4,343)
Common stock issued for stock plans and related expenses					177	133	161
Net cash provided by financing activities					120,658	28,219	95,941
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates					(35)	(108)	(260)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash					32,576	(23,093)	31,134
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash-beginning of year		$ 85,740		$ 108,833	85,740	108,833	77,699
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash-end of year	$ 118,316		$ 85,740		$ 118,316	$ 85,740	$ 108,833	$ 77,699