(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 15, 2014	Aug. 11, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Transactions
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Purchase price				$ 4
Dutch auction tender offer
Transactions
Number of shares repurchased			5,203,986
Purchase price (in dollars per share)			$ 4.62
Share Purchase Agreement | ZHEN FA New Energy (U.S.) Co. Ltd. (Purchaser)
Transactions
Number of shares issued	9,210,710	9,210,710
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Purchase price	$ 21,664	$ 21,664
Price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.35	$ 2.35
STR Holdings Incorporated | Share Purchase Agreement | ZHEN FA New Energy (U.S.) Co. Ltd. (Purchaser)
Transactions
Percentage of outstanding shares upon closing of transaction (as a percent)		51.00%