This element represents current liability of finance obligation as of balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_FinanceObligationCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents noncurrent liability of finance obligation as of balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_FinanceObligationNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Portion of letter of credit terminated due to the release of contingencies relating to a new tenant occupying space in the building.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_LetterOfCreditTerminated
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of standby letter of credit during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_NumberOfStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 11-15 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PaymentsForElevenToFifteenYears
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 6-10 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PaymentsForSixToTenYears
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents percentage of standby letters collateralized by cash balances.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PercentageCollateralizedByCashBalances
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate purchase price of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_SaleLeasebackTransactionAggregatePurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the monthly rental payments for 1-5 years due under the lease entered into in connection with the transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_SaleLeasebackTransactionMonthlyRentalPaymentsForOneToFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents total standby letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_TotalStandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: 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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The financing cost related to leases that have been recorded under the deposit method, as a financing or as a capital leases in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Imputed Interest Rate

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515215

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionImputedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A description of the terms of the lease(s) related to the assets being leased-back in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6452660&loc=d3e36991-112694

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6456341&loc=d3e50796-112755

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseTerms
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net book value of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 51

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51840-112757

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51843-112757

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 40

-Section 55

-Paragraph 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51831-112757

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionNetBookValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Other amounts the seller-lessee is required to pay under the terms of the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and lease of the property back to the seller, including reimbursements for such items, as utilities, taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionOtherPaymentsRequired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)			1 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Albany Shaker Road Property [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Albany Shaker Road Property [Member]	Aug. 26, 2013 Albany Shaker Road Property [Member]	Mar. 27, 2013 Albany Shaker Road Property [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Silicon Valley Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit, face amount							$ 525,000
Term of Building sale leaseback			15 years
Monthly payments for 1-5 years			38,297
Monthly payments for 6-10 years			41,243
Monthly payments for 11-15 years			44,189
Finance obligation				2,507,800
Current portion finance obligation				57,739
Number of standby letters of credit			2
Total standby letters of credit			750,000
Percent collateralized by cash balances			100.00%
Terminated portion of letter of credit					250,000
Restricted cash	500,000			500,000
Aggregate purchase price on sale-leaseback transaction						4,500,000
Payment of purchase price on sale-leaseback transaction in cash						2,750,000
Payment of purchase price on sale-leaseback transaction with interest			$ 1,750,000
Annual interest			5.00%