Note 14 - Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Cash dividend On November 5, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared, approved and authorized payment of a quarterly dividend of $2.3 million ($0.05 per share) to all holders of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock on November 20, 2014, payable on December 4, 2014. Potential restructuring with parent company On October 29, 2014, following a report to that effect issued to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the Israeli Security Authority by its parent entity, Ormat Industries, Ltd. (“OIL”), the Company announced that the two companies are considering a possible group corporate reorganization. Pursuant to the proposed transaction, the Company would acquire OIL by issuing shares of common stock in the Company to OIL's shareholders in exchange for all of the OIL shareholders' shares in OIL, based upon an exchange ratio to be agreed upon between the parties. If approved and consummated, the transaction would eliminate OIL’s majority ownership interest in, and control of, Ormat Technologies, and OIL would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ormat Technologies. The Company has established a special committee of independent directors with full authority to consider the proposed transaction, including to negotiate the exchange ratio and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors, or to reject the proposed transaction. The special committee has retained independent legal and financial advisors to assist the committee in considering the proposed transaction. There can be no assurance at this stage whether the proposed transaction will be approved and consummated and, if consummated, what the terms (including the exchange ratio) thereof would be. Any potential transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as to customary conditions and approvals, including (without limitation) regulatory approvals, an affirmative recommendation of the special committee of the Board of Directors, an approval of the full Board of Directors, and the approval of the shareholders of each of the Company and OIL.

Note 14 - Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Cash dividend

On November 5, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared, approved and authorized payment of a quarterly dividend of $2.3 million ($0.05 per share) to all holders of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock on November 20, 2014, payable on December 4, 2014.

Potential restructuring with parent company

On October 29, 2014, following a report to that effect issued to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the Israeli Security Authority by its parent entity, Ormat Industries, Ltd. (“OIL”), the Company announced that the two companies are considering a possible group corporate reorganization. Pursuant to the proposed transaction, the Company would acquire OIL by issuing shares of common stock in the Company to OIL's shareholders in exchange for all of the OIL shareholders' shares in OIL, based upon an exchange ratio to be agreed upon between the parties. If approved and consummated, the transaction would eliminate OIL’s majority ownership interest in, and control of, Ormat Technologies, and OIL would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ormat Technologies.

The Company has established a special committee of independent directors with full authority to consider the proposed transaction, including to negotiate the exchange ratio and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors, or to reject the proposed transaction. The special committee has retained independent legal and financial advisors to assist the committee in considering the proposed transaction.

There can be no assurance at this stage whether the proposed transaction will be approved and consummated and, if consummated, what the terms (including the exchange ratio) thereof would be. Any potential transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as to customary conditions and approvals, including (without limitation) regulatory approvals, an affirmative recommendation of the special committee of the Board of Directors, an approval of the full Board of Directors, and the approval of the shareholders of each of the Company and OIL.