Subsequent Events (Detail Textuals 2) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	1 Months Ended
Mar. 27, 2013 Standby_Letter_Of_Credit
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of standby letters of credit	2
Total standby letters of credit	$ 750,000
Percent collateralized by cash balances	100.00%
Standby letters of credit renewable term	10 years

A description of the terms of the standby letters of credit are renewable for a period.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_StandbyLettersRenewableTerm
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration