Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases - As Lessor
2020	$ 31,279
2021	30,316
2022	22,432
2023	18,346
2024 and thereafter	36,095
Total future minimum lease payments	138,468
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases - As Lessee
2020	44,849
2021	44,919
2022	40,329
2023	35,738
2024 and thereafter	70,718
Total future minimum lease payments	236,553
Less imputed lease interest	(65,226)
Total lease liabilities	$ 171,327
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	plug:FinancingTransactionFinanceObligationAmountCurrent plug:FinancingTransactionFinanceObligationAmount
Rental expense for all operating lease	$ 30,600	$ 15,800
Gross profit on sale leaseback transactions	26,200	16,400
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	121,400	46,300
Prepaid rent and security deposit	6,000	6,800
Other information of operating leases
Cash payments	$ 29,317	$ 14,926
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	5 years 7 months 10 days	4 years 4 months 10 days
Weighted average discount rate (as a percent)	12.10%	12.10%
Minimum
Operating Leases
Lease Term - as Lessor	1 year
Lease Term - as Lessee	1 year
Maximum
Operating Leases
Lease Term - as Lessor	7 years
Lease Term - as Lessee	9 years
Sale Leaseback Agreements
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases - As Lessee
Total lease liabilities	$ 109,400	$ 37,000
Short term operating lease obligation	15,500	5,700
Long term operating lease obligation	$ 93,900	$ 31,300