Revolving Line Of Credit	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Revolving Line Of Credit [Abstract]
Revolving Line Of Credit	4. Revolving Line of Credit Real Goods Solar's recently consolidated subsidiary, Alteris, has a revolving line of credit agreement which provides for advances not to exceed $7.0 million. All borrowings are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all assets of Alteris and bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.75% (total interest rate of 5.75% at September 30, 2011). The line of credit facility will mature on November 30, 2011 and prior to such date Real Goods Solar hopes to either amend the agreement or enter into a new line of credit. The line of credit has a facility fee of 0.5% per year of the average daily unused portion of the available line of credit during the applicable calendar quarter. Alteris may reserve up to $500,000 for stand-by letters of credit under the line of credit. As of September 30, 2011, there were no outstanding stand-by letters of credit under this facility.

4. Revolving Line of Credit

Real Goods Solar's recently consolidated subsidiary, Alteris, has a revolving line of credit agreement which provides for advances not to exceed $7.0 million. All borrowings are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all assets of Alteris and bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.75% (total interest rate of 5.75% at September 30, 2011). The line of credit facility will mature on November 30, 2011 and prior to such date Real Goods Solar hopes to either amend the agreement or enter into a new line of credit. The line of credit has a facility fee of 0.5% per year of the average daily unused portion of the available line of credit during the applicable calendar quarter. Alteris may reserve up to $500,000 for stand-by letters of credit under the line of credit. As of September 30, 2011, there were no outstanding stand-by letters of credit under this facility.