Note 11 - Business Segment Information (Details) - Revenues and Accounts Receivable by Major Customers (Current Period) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	$ 1,132	$ 360	$ 6,138	[1]	$ 1,071	[1]
Hawaiian Electric Light Company [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales			2,082
Proterra, LLC [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales			1,529		121
Accounts Receivable	676	121	676		121
Vestas [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales			1,291
Accounts Receivable	$ 62		$ 62

[1] Revenues are attributed to countries based on location of customer.