Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Remaining amortization period for discount on the liability component of convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6031898-161870

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleRemainingDiscountAmortizationPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Description of the frequency of periodic payments (monthly, quarterly, annual).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

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

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of payment greater than the preceding installment payments to be paid at final maturity date of debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentToBePaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section S45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68176171&loc=SL68176184-208336

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsLineOfCreditArrangementsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=ppsi_CanadianCreditFacilitiesCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis=ppsi_EBITDAEqualToOrGreaterThan2.00Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis=ppsi_EBITDAIsLessThan2.00Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CurrencyAxis=currency_CAD
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=ppsi_CanadianCreditFacilitiesAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=ppsi_CanadianCreditFacilitiesBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

DEBT (Details Narrative) CAD in Thousands, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
DEBT (Details Narrative) CAD in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Mar. 15, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2017 CAD	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 CAD	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2017 CAD	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD	Jun. 30, 2011 CAD
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facilities amount outstanding					$ 17,689	$ 9,874		$ 17,689
Debt issuance costs					245	229		245
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow					$ 700			$ 700
Interest rate spread								1.50%
Variable rate description								BMO’s prime rate plus
Frequency of payments			Quarterly		Quarterly
Quarterly principal payment			$ 72		$ 36
Balloon payment					496			$ 496
Credit facilities amount outstanding					600	800		$ 600
Prepayment of debt						4,000
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly principal payment	$ 36
Balloon payment	352
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| EBITDA Equal to or Greater than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.25%
Variable rate description				BMO’s prime rate plus
Standby fee percentage				0.625%
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| EBITDA is Less than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.00%
Variable rate description				BMO’s prime rate plus
Standby fee percentage				0.5625%
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| U.S. Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread								1.50%
Variable rate description								U.S. Base Rate
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| U.S. Base Rate [Member] \| EBITDA Equal to or Greater than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.25%
Variable rate description				U.S. Base Rate
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| U.S. Base Rate [Member] \| EBITDA is Less than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.00%
Variable rate description				U.S. Base Rate
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| Libor [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread								2.75%
Variable rate description								Libor
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| Libor [Member] \| EBITDA Equal to or Greater than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				2.50%
Variable rate description				Libor
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| Libor [Member] \| EBITDA is Less than 2.00 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				2.25%
Variable rate description				Libor
Canadian Credit Facilities C [Member] \| Canada, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow \| CAD											CAD 10,000
Prepayment of debt \| CAD							CAD 5,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow				$ 15,900
Line of Credit [Member] \| Canada, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow \| CAD											22,000
Canadian Credit Facilities A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.50%				0.75%
Variable rate description				BMO’s prime rate plus				BMO’s prime rate plus
Credit facilities amount outstanding					4,400	500		$ 4,400
Canadian Credit Facilities A [Member] \| U.S. Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.50%				0.75%
Variable rate description				U.S. Base Rate				U.S. Base Rate
Canadian Credit Facilities A [Member] \| Libor [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				2.00%				2.25%
Variable rate description				Libor				Libor
Canadian Credit Facilities A [Member] \| Canada, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow \| CAD										CAD 7,000	CAD 10,000
Canadian Credit Facilities A [Member] \| Canada, Dollars \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow \| CAD									CAD 8,000
Canadian Credit Facilities B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.00%
Variable rate description				BMO’s prime rate plus
Debt instrument amortization period				5 years
Credit facilities amount outstanding					200	400		$ 200
Canadian Credit Facilities B [Member] \| Canada, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow				$ 2,000						500
Interest rate spread								1.25%
Variable rate description								BMO’s prime rate plus
Frequency of payments								Quarterly
Quarterly principal payment								$ 47
Balloon payment					141			$ 141
Debt instrument amortization period								5 years
Canadian Credit Facilities B [Member] \| Canada, Dollars \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly principal payment \| CAD		CAD 47
Canadian Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow					6,300			$ 6,300
Credit facilities amount outstanding					$ 5,200	$ 1,700		$ 5,200
Canadian Facilities [Member] \| Canada, Dollars
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow \| CAD										CAD 8,100
Canadian Facilities [Member] \| Canada, Dollars \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Credit Facilities Amount to Borrow	$ 9,100