Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - Former Local Sales Representative vs. Ormat [Member] - Pending Litigation [Member] $ in Millions	Mar. 29, 2016 USD ($)
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 4.6
Loss Contingency, Additional Damages Sought for Ormat Geothermal Products Sales in Chile, Percent	3.75%
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Ormat Geothermal Products Sales in Chile, Period	10 years

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349

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