Convertible debentures:	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	Note 4 — Convertible debentures: In April and June of 2006, the Company issued convertible debentures totaling $6,075,000 to existing investors, or the debentures. The debentures accrued interest at a rate of 8% per annum and were due five years from the issuance date. The debentures were convertible, at the option of the holder, into a number of shares of common stock as determined by dividing the original outstanding amount of the respective debenture by the conversion price in effect at the time. The initial conversion price of the debenture was $0.84 and was subject to adjustment in accordance with the agreement. As of December 31, 2009, the conversion price of the debenture had not been adjusted. On February 9, 2010, the Company issued a Notice of Redemption to all holders of its outstanding 8% Convertible Debentures to announce redemption as of February 26, 2010, of all of its outstanding convertible debentures that had not been converted into common stock. The aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures outstanding on February 26, 2010 was $5,320,000 and accrued interest was $66,204. All holders of the convertible debentures elected to convert their principal amount outstanding into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.84. In connection with this transaction, the Company issued to the holders of the convertible debentures an aggregate of 6,402,962 shares of common stock and paid $7,716 of accrued interest in cash. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE Amex on February 8, 2010 was $2.82. On May 23, 2011, the Company issued $12,500,000 aggregate principal amount of debentures to a European investor and to John N. Hatsopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The debentures mature on May 25, 2018 and accrue interest at the rate of 6% per annum payable on a semi-annual basis. At the holder’s option, the debentures may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $2.20 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company has the option to redeem at 115% of Par Value any or all of the debentures after May 25, 2016. The proceeds of the debentures will be used in connection with the development and installation of current and new energy systems, business development and for general corporate purposes. The debentures canceled the revolving line of credit agreement with John N. Hatsopoulos, which as of May 23, 2011 had a principal amount outstanding of $2,400,000. On November 30, 2011, the Company issued an additional $6,900,000 aggregate principal amount of debentures to the European investor. The debentures mature on May 25, 2018 and accrue interest at the rate of 6% per annum payable on a semi-annual basis. At the holder’s option, the debentures may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $2.20 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company has the option to redeem at 115% of Par Value any or all of the debentures after May 25, 2016. The proceeds of the debentures will be used in connection with the development and installation of current and new energy systems, business development and for general corporate purposes.

Convertible debentures:

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Note 4 — Convertible debentures:

In April and June of 2006, the Company issued convertible debentures totaling $6,075,000 to existing investors, or the debentures. The debentures accrued interest at a rate of 8% per annum and were due five years from the issuance date. The debentures were convertible, at the option of the holder, into a number of shares of common stock as determined by dividing the original outstanding amount of the respective debenture by the conversion price in effect at the time. The initial conversion price of the debenture was $0.84 and was subject to adjustment in accordance with the agreement. As of December 31, 2009, the conversion price of the debenture had not been adjusted. On February 9, 2010, the Company issued a Notice of Redemption to all holders of its outstanding 8% Convertible Debentures to announce redemption as of February 26, 2010, of all of its outstanding convertible debentures that had not been converted into common stock. The aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures outstanding on February 26, 2010 was $5,320,000 and accrued interest was $66,204. All holders of the convertible debentures elected to convert their principal amount outstanding into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.84. In connection with this transaction, the Company issued to the holders of the convertible debentures an aggregate of 6,402,962 shares of common stock and paid $7,716 of accrued interest in cash. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE Amex on February 8, 2010 was $2.82.

On May 23, 2011, the Company issued $12,500,000 aggregate principal amount of debentures to a European investor and to John N. Hatsopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The debentures mature on May 25, 2018 and accrue interest at the rate of 6% per annum payable on a semi-annual basis. At the holder’s option, the debentures may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $2.20 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company has the option to redeem at 115% of Par Value any or all of the debentures after May 25, 2016. The proceeds of the debentures will be used in connection with the development and installation of current and new energy systems, business development and for general corporate purposes. The debentures canceled the revolving line of credit agreement with John N. Hatsopoulos, which as of May 23, 2011 had a principal amount outstanding of $2,400,000.

On November 30, 2011, the Company issued an additional $6,900,000 aggregate principal amount of debentures to the European investor. The debentures mature on May 25, 2018 and accrue interest at the rate of 6% per annum payable on a semi-annual basis. At the holder’s option, the debentures may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $2.20 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company has the option to redeem at 115% of Par Value any or all of the debentures after May 25, 2016. The proceeds of the debentures will be used in connection with the development and installation of current and new energy systems, business development and for general corporate purposes.