Represents the cash receipts for goods and services to be received pursuant to a warrant transaction agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_CashReceiptsForGoodsAndServicesWarrantTransactionAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of warrants exercisable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisable
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Threshold number of specified trading days that common stock price to vesting of warrants must exceed threshold percentage within a specified consecutive trading period to trigger vesting of warrants exercisable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of warrants exercised by the warrant holders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercised
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted that have vested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesVestedByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the fair value of warrants per share.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_FairValueOfWarrantsPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represent minimum percentage of warrants vested and exercisable automatically.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_MinimumPercentageOfWarrantsVestedAndExercisableAutomatically
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Threshold weighted average share price.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_PercentageOfThresholdWeightedAverageSharePrice
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the provision for loss contracts related to service.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_ProvisionForLossContractsRelatedToService
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The expected average term associated with a warrant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_WarrantAssumptionsExpectedAverageTerm
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of warrant charge associated with vested shares capitalized to contract assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of reduction in revenue due to waiving of vesting conditions which resulted in immediate vesting of warrants

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plug_WarrantTransactionsDecreaseInRevenueDueToWaivingOfVestingConditions
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of input used to measure outstanding warrant and right embodying unconditional obligation requiring redemption by transferring asset at specified or determinable date or upon event certain to occur.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstandingMeasurementInput
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_WarrantIssuedWithAmazon.comIncTransactionAgreementInApril2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=plug_AmazonCustomerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_TrancheOneOfWarrantIssuedWithAmazon.comIncTransactionAgreementInApril2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_TrancheTwoOfWarrantIssuedWithAmazon.comIncTransactionAgreementInApril2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_WarrantIssuedWithAmazonMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=plug_VestingOfFirstWarrantsSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=plug_VestingOfRemainingWarrantsSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_AmazonTransactionAgreement2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=plug_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneToThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputExercisePriceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputSharePriceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=plug_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Warrant Transaction Agreements - Amazon.com, Inc. Transaction Agreement (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 24, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares D shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2021 shares	Apr. 30, 2017 shares	Apr. 04, 2017 shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of warrants vested and exercisable automatically				60.00%
Par value, common stock \| $ / shares		$ 0.01		$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Selling, general and administrative \| $		$ 101,154	$ 95,953	$ 205,170	$ 176,842
Provision for Loss Contracts Related to Service \| $				856	(18,131)
Warrants issued with the Amazon, Inc transaction agreement
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)								55,286,696	55,286,696
Reduction in revenue \| $				$ 11,500	$ 3,700
Number of warrants exercised (in shares)				34,917,912	17,461,994
Warrant shares vested (in shares)							55,286,696
Warrants issued with the Amazon, Inc transaction agreement \| Amazon
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants exercised (in shares)				34,917,912		24,704,450
Tranche one of warrants issued with the Amazon.com, Inc transaction agreement
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant charge capitalized \| $		$ 19,700		$ 19,700
Tranche two of warrants issued with the Amazon.com, Inc. Transaction Agreement
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant shares vested (in shares)		1,000,000		1,000,000
Warrant charge capitalized \| $		$ 20,400		$ 20,400
Warrant Issued With Amazon
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Cash payments to be received under agreement \| $	$ 2,100,000
Warrant percentage weighted average share price	90.00%
Warrant Issued With Amazon \| Vesting of First Warrants Shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants exercisable	9,000,000
Warrant shares vested (in shares)	9,000,000
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 22.9841
Fair value of warrants per share \| $ / shares	$ 20.36
Warrant Issued With Amazon \| Vesting of Remaining Warrants Shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant shares vested (in shares)	7,000,000
Warrant Issued With Amazon \| Vest in multiple tranches
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)	15,000,000
Vesting period	7 years
Warrant shares vested (in shares)	15,000,000
2022 Amazon transaction agreement
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)	16,000,000
Reduction in revenue \| $		$ 1,500	$ 100	$ 2,600	$ 200
Warrant shares vested (in shares)		1,000,000		1,000,000
Class Of Warrant Or Right Exercisable on Vesting Threshold Trading Days \| D	30
Warrant charge capitalized \| $		$ 20,400		$ 20,400
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Vest immediately upon issuance
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant shares vested (in shares)	1,000,000
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranches 1-3 \| Risk free interest rate
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input	0.0315
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranches 1-3 \| Volatility
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input	0.7500
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranches 1-3 \| Expected average term
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Expected average term	7 years
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranches 1-3 \| Exercise price
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input \| $ / shares	22.98
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranches 1-3 \| Stock price
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input \| $ / shares	20.36
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranche 4 \| Risk free interest rate
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input		0.0394		0.0394
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranche 4 \| Volatility
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input		0.7500		0.7500
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranche 4 \| Expected average term
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Expected average term				4 years
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranche 4 \| Exercise price
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input \| $ / shares		9.35		9.35
2022 Amazon transaction agreement \| Tranche 4 \| Stock price
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants and rights outstanding measurement input \| $ / shares		10.39		10.39