Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents, At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable Value Added Tax Receivable, Current Value added tax receivable Inventory, Net Inventory Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment, net Assets TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,362,100 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Additional Paid In Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Stockholders Equity Attributable To Parent Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Balance Sheet Parenthetical [Abstract] Balance Sheet Parenthetical [Abstract] Common Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Revenues [Abstract] Revenues Sales Revenue, Energy Services Energy revenues Other Revenue, Net Turnkey & other revenues Revenue, Net Revenue, Net Cost Of Services [Abstract] Cost of sales Cost Of Services, Energy Services Fuel, maintenance and installation Cost Of Services, Depreciation Depreciation expense Cost Of Services Cost of Services Cost of Services Gross Profit Gross profit Gross profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Selling Expense Selling Other General Expense Engineering Operating Expenses Operating Expenses Operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Loss from operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense) Interest and Other Income Interest and other income Interest Expense Interest expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Parent Loss available to stockholders Net loss Net loss Net loss Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Basic and diluted loss per share (in dollars per share) Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic and diluted (in shares) Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares) Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income (Loss) To Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Share-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation Increase (Decrease) In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Value Added Tax Receivable Value added tax receivable Increase decrease in value added tax receivable. Value added tax receivable Increase (Decrease) In Inventories Inventory Inventory Increase (Decrease) In Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid and other current assets Increase (Decrease) In Operating Liabilities [Abstract] Increase (decrease) in: Increase (Decrease) In Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) In Due To Related Parties, Current Due to related party Increase (Decrease) In Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments To Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Purchases of property and equipment Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of costs Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Text Block] Description Of Business [Policy Text Block] Description Of Business [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for description of business. Principles Of Consolidation and Basis Of Presentation [Policy Text Block] Principles Of Consolidation and Basis Of Presentation [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for principles of consolidation and basis of presentation. Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Use Of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration Of Credit Risk [Policy Text Block] Concentration Of Credit Risk [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for concentration of credit risk. Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block] Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Supply Concentrations [Policy Text Block] Supply Concentrations [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for supply concentrations. Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Share-Based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Other Comprehensive Net Loss [Policy Text Block] Other Comprehensive Net Loss [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for other comprehensive net loss. Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Investments In and Advances To Affiliates Categorization [Axis] Investments in and Advances to Affiliates Categorization [Axis] Investments In and Advances To Affiliates Categorization [Domain] Investments in and Advances to Affiliates Categorization [Domain] Investments In Majority-Owned Subsidiaries [Member] Related Party Transactions, By Related Party [Axis] Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] American Dg [Member] American DG [Member] American Dg Nettlestone Enterprises [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock and Warrant [Member] Entity Incorporation, Date Of Incorporation Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation Investments Investments Shares Exchanged Shares Exchanged Number of shares exchanged. Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage By Parent Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Proceeds From Issuance Of Private Placement Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Outstanding, September 30, 2011 Number of Options, Outstanding, December 31, 2011 Number of Options, Outstanding, September 30,2012 Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Net Of Forfeitures Number of Options, Granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period Number of Options, Exercised Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures In Period Number of Options, Canceled Number of Options, Canceled Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Expirations In Period Number of Options, Expired Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Number of Options, Exercisable, September 30, 2012 Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Exercisable, Number Number of Options, Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2012 Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, December 31, 2011 Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, September 30, 2012 Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment outstanding price per share during the period. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Granted In Period Exercise Price Per Share Exercise Price Per Share, Granted Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment granted price per share during the period. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercised In Period Exercise Price Per Share Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment exercised price per share during the period. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Canceled In Period Exercise Price Per Share Exercise Price Per Share, Canceled Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment cancelled price per share during the period. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expired In Period Exercise Price Per Share Exercise Price Per Share, Expired Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment expired price per share during the period. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, December 31, 2011 Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, September 30, 2012 Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price shares Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Expirations In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Expired Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, September 30, 2012 Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2012 Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted Average Remaining Life, Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, December 31, 2011 Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, September 30, 2012 The value of share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award outstanding during the period. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, September 30, 2012 Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested and Expected To Vest Aggregate Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2012 The value of share based payment award options vested and expected to vest during the period. Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Stock Compensation Plan [Member] Nettlestone Enterprise [Member] Nettlestone Enterprise Warrant [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Maximum [Member] Deferred Bonus and Profit Sharing Plan By Title Of Individual [Axis] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits, by Title of Individual [Axis] Title Of Individual With Relationship To Entity [Domain] Title of Individual with Relationship to Entity [Domain] Managing Director [Member] Managing Director Advisory Board [Member] Advisory Board Member Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Other Increases (Decreases) In Period, Description Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Other Increases (Decreases) in Period, Description Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested and Expected To Vest Outstanding Contractual Term Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested and Expected To Vest Outstanding Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Vested and Expected to Vest period. Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding Dividends Payable, Date To Be Paid Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid Dividends Payable, Date Of Record Dividends Payable, Date of Record Adjusted Price Of Stock Option Awards and Warrants Adjusted Price Of Stock Option Awards and Warrants Adjusted exercise price of stock option awards and warrants during the period. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized, Stock Options Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized, Period For Recognition Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested and Expected To Vest Percentage Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested and Expected To Vest Percentage Vesting percentage for unvested stock options outstanding during the period. Investment Warrants Expiration Date Investment Warrants Expiration Date Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per share Antidilutive Shares Underlying Warrants Outstanding Anti-dilutive shares underlying warrants outstanding (in shares) Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented. Antidilutive Shares Underlying Stock Options Outstanding Anti-dilutive shares underlying stock options outstanding (in shares) Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented. Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Board Of Directors Chairman [Member] Chief Executive Officer [Member] Percentage Of Shares Percentage Of Shares Percentage of shares of the company. Related Party Transaction, Description Of Transaction Related Party Transaction, Description of Transaction Purchase Of Shares From Accredited Investor One Purchase Of Shares From Accredited Investor One Total number of shares purchased. Purchase Of Shares From Accredited Investor Two Purchase Of Shares From Accredited Investory Two Purchase Of Shares From Accredited Investory Two. Officers Compensation Officers' Compensation Percentage Of Time Spent By Related Parties Percentage Of Time Spent By Related Parties Percentage of time spent by related parties. Hourly Rate Of Salary Expenditure Reimbursed Hourly Rate Of Salary Expenditure Reimbursed The value of salary reimbursement expenditure. Lease Expiration Date Lease Expiration Date Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Minimum [Member] Stock Issued During Period Value Private Placement The total amount of stock issued for private placement during the period. Stock Issued During Period Shares Private Placement Stock Issued During Period Shares Private Placement Number of shares issued during the period for private placement. Warrants Granted For Shares Warrants Granted For Shares Total number of warrants granted for shares purchased. Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Purchase Price Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Purchase Price Share based compensation by share based payment purchase price per share. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Fair Value Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Fair Value The fair value of share based compensation by share based payment option. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected To Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Common Stock Dividend Rate Percentage Common Stock Dividend Rate Percentage The percentage rate used to calculate dividend payments on common stock. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Fair Value Per Option Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Fair Value Per Option The fair value of share based compensation by share based payment per option. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Date Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost Allocated Share-Based Compensation Expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Shares To Purchase Upon Warrants Granted Shares To Purchase Upon Warrants Granted Total number of warrants granted to purchase common stock. Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested In Period, Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Expiration Period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Expiration Period The maturity period of equity-based award. Chief Financial Officer [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Number Of Accredited Investors The number of accredited investors to whom shares were issued by private placement. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Option To Purchase Common Stock The option given to purchase of shares. Common Stock Share Purchase Price The purchase price of share during the period. Due to Related Parties, Current Due to related party