2.4.0.84150 - Disclosure - Letter of Credit Agreement (Details)truefalsefalse1false USDfalsefalseD2012Q4_M1207_LetterOfCreditMember_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001065860duration2012-12-06T00:00:002012-12-07T00:00:00SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$1true 3us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Letter of Credit Agreement2false 4us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse10000001000000USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryMaximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 false2Aggregate borrowing capacity3false 4lime_DebtInstrumentNumberOfBusinessDaysAfterReceiptOfWrittenDemandToPayIndemnificationFeesAndExpenseslime_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse0010 daysfalsefalsefalsexbrli:durationItemTypenaRepresents the number of business days after receipt of written demand to pay indemnification, fees and expenses in connection with the debt instrument.No definition available.false0Number of business days from receipt of Mr. Kiphart's written demand to pay indemnification, fees and expenses4false 4us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRightsus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse275000275000falsefalsefalsexbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe specified number of securities that each class of warrants or rights outstanding give the holder the right but not the obligation to purchase from the issuer at a specific price, on or before a certain date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph i -Subparagraph 2 -Article 4 false1Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)5false 4us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRightsus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse0.510.51USD$falsetruefalseus-types:perUnitItemTypedecimalThe exercise price of each class of warrants or rights outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph i -Subparagraph 4 -Article 4 false3Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)6false 4lime_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTermlime_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse003 yearsfalsefalsefalsexbrli:durationItemTypenaRepresents the term of the warrant.No definition available.false0Warrant term7false 4lime_ClassOfWarrantOrRightFairValuelime_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse5600056000USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe fair value of the warrant as of the date of issuance.No definition available.false2Fair value of warrant at date of issuance8false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2false truefalseD2012Q4_1207_LetterOfCreditMember_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember_MinimumMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001065860duration2012-12-06T00:00:002012-12-07T00:00:00falsefalseLetter of credit agreementus-gaap_CreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_LetterOfCreditMemberus-gaap_CreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseRichard Kiphartus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseMinimumus-gaap_RangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MinimumMemberus-gaap_RangeAxisexplicitMemberItemStandardhttp://www.lime-energy.com/20121231itemlime0nanafalse0Minimum9true 3us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Letter of Credit Agreement10false 4lime_LineOfCreditFacilityNumberOfDebtInstrumentIssuedlime_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsexbrli:integerItemTypeintegerRepresents the number of debt instruments issued under the credit facility.No definition available.false256Number of letters of credit issuedfalseLetter of Credit Agreement (Details) (Letter of credit agreement, Richard Kiphart, USD $)NoRoundingNoRoundingNoRoundingUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.lime-energy.com/role/DisclosureLetterOfCreditAgreementDetails110