Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	2. Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates and Reclassifications The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and disclosures. Although we base these estimates on our best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. We have made certain reclassifications to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentations. We have evaluated events subsequent to September 30, 2011 and concluded that no material event has occurred that would impact either the results reflected in this report or our results going forward. No changes were made to our significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, except for the following: Cash Cash represents demand deposit accounts with financial institutions that are denominated in U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. At each balance sheet date, cash on hand that is denominated in a foreign currency is adjusted to reflect the exchange rate that exists at the balance sheet date. The difference is reported as a gain or loss in our statement of operations each period. Historically, such gains or losses have been immaterial. Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents amounts reserved under our solar segment's outstanding surety bonds. Revenue Recognition As a result of a recent business acquisition (see Note 3. Mergers and Acquisitions), we are slightly modifying our method of applying revenue recognition for fixed price contracts in that we will recognize revenue from energy system installations of less than 100 kilowatts when the installation is substantially complete and recognize revenue from energy installations greater than 100 kilowatts on a percentage-of-completion basis. The rest of our revenue recognition policy remains the same. This change in accounting principle was applied retrospectively, and did not have and is not expected to have in the future a material impact on our financial results. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the estimated fair value of assets acquired less liabilities assumed in a business acquisition. Our other intangibles mainly consist of customer and marketing related assets. We review goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise on a reporting unit level. We compare the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we consider the goodwill of the reporting unit not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we perform the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss. We use either a comparable market approach, traditional present value method, or multiple of revenue or earnings approach to test for potential impairment. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. Application of alternative assumptions and definitions could yield significantly different results. As required by US GAAP, we tested our goodwill and other intangibles for potential impairment at the end of the quarter due to recent economic conditions and stock price volatility. We concluded that none of our goodwill or other intangibles were impaired as of September 30, 2011. The estimated fair value of our business goodwill reporting unit was 3% greater than its carrying value, including $22.4 million of goodwill. For the testing of the business goodwill reporting unit, we utilized a traditional discounted future cash flows model that employed certain key assumptions, including a discount factor, a terminal value, revenue growth projections, gross profit margins, and required working capital estimates, all of which were determined based on historical and projected market data and management's judgment. A change in any one of the utilized assumptions could have yielded a different measurement of the estimated fair value for our business goodwill reporting unit.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and disclosures. Although we base these estimates on our best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. We have made certain reclassifications to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentations.

We have evaluated events subsequent to September 30, 2011 and concluded that no material event has occurred that would impact either the results reflected in this report or our results going forward.

No changes were made to our significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, except for the following:

Cash

Cash represents demand deposit accounts with financial institutions that are denominated in U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. At each balance sheet date, cash on hand that is denominated in a foreign currency is adjusted to reflect the exchange rate that exists at the balance sheet date. The difference is reported as a gain or loss in our statement of operations each period. Historically, such gains or losses have been immaterial.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts reserved under our solar segment's outstanding surety bonds.

Revenue Recognition

As a result of a recent business acquisition (see Note 3. Mergers and Acquisitions), we are slightly modifying our method of applying revenue recognition for fixed price contracts in that we will recognize revenue from energy system installations of less than 100 kilowatts when the installation is substantially complete and recognize revenue from energy installations greater than 100 kilowatts on a percentage-of-completion basis. The rest of our revenue recognition policy remains the same. This change in accounting principle was applied retrospectively, and did not have and is not expected to have in the future a material impact on our financial results.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the estimated fair value of assets acquired less liabilities assumed in a business acquisition. Our other intangibles mainly consist of customer and marketing related assets. We review goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise on a reporting unit level. We compare the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we consider the goodwill of the reporting unit not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we perform the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss. We use either a comparable market approach, traditional present value method, or multiple of revenue or earnings approach to test for potential impairment. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. Application of alternative assumptions and definitions could yield significantly different results.

As required by US GAAP, we tested our goodwill and other intangibles for potential impairment at the end of the quarter due to recent economic conditions and stock price volatility. We concluded that none of our goodwill or other intangibles were impaired as of September 30, 2011. The estimated fair value of our business goodwill reporting unit was 3% greater than its carrying value, including $22.4 million of goodwill. For the testing of the business goodwill reporting unit, we utilized a traditional discounted future cash flows model that employed certain key assumptions, including a discount factor, a terminal value, revenue growth projections, gross profit margins, and required working capital estimates, all of which were determined based on historical and projected market data and management's judgment. A change in any one of the utilized assumptions could have yielded a different measurement of the estimated fair value for our business goodwill reporting unit.