Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (77,568,000)	$ (47,334,000)	$ (53,903,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation	2,804,000	3,238,000	4,585,000
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of embedded derivatives	(176,000)	60,000	91,000
Depreciation	12,353,000	8,648,000	8,518,000
Non-cash interest expense on preferred stock and debt obligations	6,097,000	5,957,000	6,256,000
Deferred income taxes	0	(3,035,000)	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and project assets	20,360,000	0	0
Unrealized loss on derivative contract	624,000	0	0
Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses	(29,000)	(223,000)	581,000
Other non-cash transactions	716,000	760,000	165,000
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Accounts receivable	4,842,000	24,169,000	(35,388,000)
Unbilled receivables	(4,488,000)	24,562,000	(15,888,000)
Inventories	(6,427,000)	31,714,000	(7,972,000)
Other assets	2,120,000	(2,264,000)	(714,000)
Increase (Decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable	(173,000)	(19,846,000)	25,020,000
Accrued liabilities	2,377,000	(11,345,000)	(2,290,000)
Deferred revenue	5,996,000	1,261,000	(906,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(30,572,000)	16,322,000	(71,845,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,151,000)	(10,028,000)	(12,351,000)
Project asset expenditures	(31,675,000)	(41,232,000)	(19,726,000)
Asset acquisition	(35,474,000)	0	633,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(69,300,000)	(51,260,000)	(31,444,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(48,395,000)	(16,616,000)	(8,571,000)
Proceeds from debt	69,596,000	13,091,000	17,877,000
Payments of deferred finance costs	(3,302,000)	(352,000)	(206,000)
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrant exercises, net	43,573,000	10,455,000	39,396,000
Payment of preferred dividends and return of capital	(1,840,000)	(4,178,000)	(4,156,000)
Common stock issued for stock plans and related expenses	23,000	0	86,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	59,655,000	27,717,000	72,292,000
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates	(244,000)	12,000	129,000
Net decrease increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(40,461,000)	(7,209,000)	(30,868,000)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash-beginning of year	80,239,000	87,448,000	118,316,000
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash-end of year	39,778,000	80,239,000	87,448,000
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	0	27,866,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	$ 0	$ 25,317,000	$ 0