2.4.0.81020 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentationtruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001065860duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:001true 1us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Basis of Presentation2false 2us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> Note 2 — Basis of Presentation   The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company has experienced operating losses and negative cash flow from operations since inception and currently has an accumulated deficit.  It is also not currently in compliance with a financial covenant on a $3 million term loan.  These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is ultimately dependent on its ability to achieve profitability before it exhausts its currently available capital, shed non-core assets and/or obtain additional funding.  Management has decided to focus its resources on its rapidly growing utility business and to reduce overhead costs to the extent possible.  Consistent with this strategy, on February 28, 2013, it sold its public sector business which represented slightly more than half of its 2012 revenue. Management has also indicated that it continues to closely monitor and forecast its cash requirements and is prepared to attempt to raise additional capital if they foresee a need to do so to fund day-to-day operations. The Company has historically funded its operations through the issuance of additional equity and secured debt.  However, there is no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in obtaining additional funding in the future or improving its operating results.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.   The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lime Energy Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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