Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock 0.001 Par Value	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 4,783,035	$ 54,448	$ 16,319,985	$ (11,759,723)	$ 168,325
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock based compensation expense	57,638		53,105		4,533
Loss available to stockholders	(860,393)			(860,393)
Net loss attributable to Tecogen Inc.	(978,540)				(118,147)
Balance, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 3,862,133	$ 54,448	$ 16,373,090	$ (12,620,116)	$ 54,711