10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 or

o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number:  0-12742

Spire Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts	04-2457335
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

One Patriots Park

Bedford, Massachusetts  01730-2396

(Address of principal executive offices)

(781) 275-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	The Nasdaq Capital Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  o  No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  o  No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10‑K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o	Accelerated filer  o	Non-accelerated filer  o	Smaller reporting company   x
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o  No x

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the last sale price of such stock as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market on June 30, 2012:  $3,598,303

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 20, 2013 was 9,062,633. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Special Meeting in Lieu of 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently scheduled to be held on May 16, 2013, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

Spire Corporation

Form 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	5
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	15
Item 2.	Properties	15
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	15
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	16
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	17
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	17
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	28
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	29
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	56
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	56
Item 9B.	Other Information	57
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	57
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	58
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	58
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	58
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	58
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	59
	Signatures	62

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” and similar expressions. Our actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those discussed in these statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include but are not limited to, those discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Report. Readers are encouraged to carefully review these risk factors. The cautionary statements made in this Report should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report.  We undertake no obligation to update any forward looking statements.

PART I

Item 1.Business

Spire Corporation (“Spire” or the “Company”) is a Massachusetts corporation incorporated in 1969. Our principal offices are located at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts, and our phone number is (781) 275-6000. Our SEC filings are available through our website, www.spirecorp.com. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SPIR”.

Principal Products and Services

Overview

Spire has been in the solar business for over 30 years, initially pioneering developments in solar cell technology. Currently, we develop, manufacture and market customized turn-key solutions for the solar industry, including individual pieces of manufacturing equipment and full turn-key lines for cell and module production and testing. We have been continually active in research and development, with over $100 million of R&D conducted and 10 issued patents and 9 patents pending. This expertise has provided the platform for development of our manufacturing equipment and turn-key lines. We have equipment deployed in approximately 50 countries and have among our customers some of the world's leading solar manufacturers including: First Solar, Suntech, JA Solar, Trina Solar Energy, Solar Frontier, Samsung, Martifer Solar S.A. and LDK Solar. Our Spi-Sun simulator is used by many of the world's leading testing agencies and laboratories including National Renewable Energy Laboratory ("NREL"), Sandia National Laboratories, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., TUV and European Solar Test Installation.

We believe that we are one of the world's leading suppliers of the manufacturing equipment and technology needed to produce solar photovoltaic modules. Our individual manufacturing equipment products and our SPI-Line^TM integrated turn-key cell and module production lines can be scaled, customized, and automated with high throughput. These machines are designed to meet the needs of a broad customer base ranging from manufacturers relying on mostly manual processes, to some of the largest photovoltaic manufacturing companies in the world.

In addition, Spire provides photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets.  Our systems use commercially available modules, in some cases manufactured by our turn-key module line customers.

Our total sales and revenues for 2012 decreased approximately 62% compared to 2011 and was primarily attributable to a decrease of $21.7 million in solar module manufacturing equipment revenues, a decrease of $8.7 million in solar systems revenues and a decrease of $7.2 million in solar cell material revenues. However, with over forty years since our incorporation and over thirty years in the solar market, we are well positioned to capitalize on the market’s expected rebound as manufacturers begin capital improvement programs including equipment updates and expansion.

Our biomedical business provides value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial or other material characteristics of their products; and performs sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies.

The foundation for all of our business units is our industry-leading expertise in manufacturing and materials technologies.  This proprietary knowledge enables us to further develop our products and services in each market we serve.

Sale of Semiconductor Business Unit; Discontinued Operations

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During the first quarter of 2012, we began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our semiconductor business and on March 9, 2012, we completed the sale of our semiconductor business, which provides semiconductor foundry services, operates a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and is engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets (the “Semiconductor Business Unit”), to Masimo Corporation. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations.

The asset purchase agreement provided that the aggregate purchase price for the Semiconductor Business Unit was $8.0 million plus the assumption of $500 thousand in liabilities, with the cash portion of the purchase price being reduced by retained cash and liabilities assumed by Masimo in excess of $500 thousand. As a result, on the closing date we received approximately $7.3 million in cash (less the escrow described below) and Masimo assumed approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. The purchase price was subject to post-closing adjustments based on the balance sheet of the business as of the closing date. Of the purchase price, approximately $717 thousand was deposited into an indemnity escrow account for fifteen months (or until June, 2013) to partially secure our obligations for any indemnity claims under the asset purchase agreement. In connection with this transaction, the lease for the premises in Hudson, New Hampshire where the Semiconductor Business Unit was located was terminated on March 9, 2012, and we were released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Sale of Medical Products Business Unit; Discontinued Operations

On December 14, 2009, we completed the sale of our medical products business unit, which develops and markets coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (the “Medical Products Business Unit”), to Bard Access Systems, Inc. (“Bard”). Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations.

The purchase price for the Medical Products Business Unit was $12.4 million, including (i) $9.4 million paid in cash to us at closing, (ii) $100 thousand that was paid in cash at closing to two of our key employees, including Mark Little, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Biomedical, as consideration for their execution of non-competition agreements, and (iii) $2.9 million that was paid in cash to us in the second quarter of 2010 based on the achievement of certain milestones.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, we received a cash payment of $2.5 million in settlement of a breach of contract dispute with a contract manufacturer and recorded a net gain on legal settlement of $2.3 million in the same quarter. This amount has been recorded as a component of net income from discontinued operations.

Industry Overview

Over the past decade, solar power derived from photovoltaics ("PV") has been one of the fastest growing industries in the world.  From 2002 through 2012 new worldwide photovoltaic installations grew more than 50 times, from under 0.5 gigawatts ("GW") in 2002 to approximately 30 GW in 2012. Although more recently the growth rate has slowed, the market for PV systems installations is still expected to nearly double to about 60 GW by 2017. Key factors driving the demand for solar power include rising fossil fuel prices and environmental concerns including green-house gases.  As a result, businesses, governments, and consumers have become increasingly supportive of solar energy development and implementation.  However, despite the robust continued growth in PV systems installations, an oversupply of PV modules relative to market demand has led to precipitously declining prices and an actual decrease in overall market value. The oversupply has also resulted in reduced demand for PV manufacturing equipment that will not improve until the module supply/demand imbalance is rectified via the growing PV systems market.

Photovoltaic Module Manufacturing Overview

Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity through the use of semiconductor cells. Though various thin film and other semiconductor materials can be used, the majority of the photovoltaic systems market, approximately 90%, utilize crystalline silicon modules. Silicon modules are high efficiency and low cost with the demonstrated endurance required by systems providers.

Crystalline solar cells and modules are produced in five basic steps: (1) polysilicon production; (2) ingot growth; (3) ingot wafering; (4) cell production; and (5) module assembly. The value chain begins with the processing of quartz sand to produce polysilicon. The resulting polysilicon is melted down and cast into ingots. The ingots are sliced into wafers.  The wafers are manufactured into solar cells through an etching, doping and coating process. The solar cells are combined into modules by testing and sorting the cells, soldering the cells into strings, transferring the strings onto a glass superstrate, laminating the structure with

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a back sheet, framing the module and, finally, testing the module performance. Spire provides equipment for the final two steps in the manufacturing process: cell production and module assembly.

Products and Services

Our core business is in the solar market, where we provide individual pieces of manufacturing equipment, turn-key cell and module lines, cell supply, solar factory management services, and solar systems.  Our solar business was responsible for 69% of our revenues in 2012. Our biomedical device business was derived from our core expertise in solar cell processing and accounts for 31% of our revenues in 2012.

Spire Solar

We believe that we are one of the world's leading suppliers of manufacturing equipment and technology needed to manufacture solar photovoltaic power systems. Our individual items of manufacturing equipment and our Spi-Line^TM module production lines span the full photovoltaic module fabrication process, which currently includes:

• Sorting solar cells into performance groups;

• Assembling and soldering strings of cells interconnected with metal ribbons or "tabs";

• Completing the module circuit by soldering bus ribbons to connect the strings together;

• Cutting polymer, fiberglass and back cover to length and assembling them with the glass and module circuit in preparation for encapsulation;

• Laminating the module assembly and curing the encapsulating polymer;

• Final assembly, including edge trimming, installing an edge gasket and frame, and attaching a junction box;

• Performing a high voltage isolation test to guarantee safe voltage isolation between the cell circuit and the module frame; and

• Electrically testing the module performance by measuring a current-voltage curve under simulated sunlight.

The fabrication of photovoltaic modules uses solar cells and module materials as input and produces functional photovoltaic modules, ready for use. We provide the necessary equipment and training for implementing these process steps for individual equipment items and for fully integrated production lines.

Many of our customers have been new entrants in the solar photovoltaic market. These entities are primarily local manufacturers that are encouraged to produce photovoltaic modules with the aid of government incentive programs. We offer a turn-key solution with enabling technology to allow these companies to quickly enter into the market, or to expand existing capacity.  We also sell individual equipment primarily to existing silicon module manufacturers as well as certain pieces of our module equipment to "thin film" manufacturers, specifically lamination and testing equipment. We provide full turn-key solar cell and wafer lines to customers for vertical integration.  A majority of the equipment used in these lines is purchased from third parties and we provide integration services along with proprietary cell line process technology.

Our solar systems business provides clients with grid-connected distributed photovoltaic systems and custom modules to meet their demand for solar electricity.  The business is primarily a system design and engineering service whose team of experienced professionals offers complete project design, management, installation coordination, and customer service.

Spire Biomedical

Through our Spire Biomedical subsidiary, we provide advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic and cardiovascular devices, enhancing properties such as wear resistance, infection resistance and thromboresistance.

Principal Distribution Methods

Our products and services are sold primarily by our direct, internal sales staff with two notable exceptions: (i) in certain offshore markets, we utilize independent sales representatives and distributors to augment our sales efforts for our solar equipment,  and (ii) proposals for sponsored research and development work are prepared by our on-staff scientists and researchers.

Competitive Conditions

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The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and characterized by changes due to technological improvements and developments. We compete with numerous other manufacturers and service providers in each of our product and service areas; many of which have greater resources and sales. Additionally, with respect to our competition, our products and services utilize alternative technologies. For example, our solar photovoltaic systems compete with other forms of renewable energy including wind, solar thermal and geo-thermal.  Price, service and product performance are significant elements of competition in the sale of each of our products. We believe that there are considerable barriers to entry into the markets we serve, including a significant investment in specialized capital equipment and product design and development, and the need for a staff with sophisticated scientific and technological knowledge.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

Principal raw materials purchased by us include polymer extrusions, molded plastic parts, silicon photovoltaic cells, high purity industrial gases, custom metal welded structures, fasteners, position sensors, electrical motors, electrical power conditioning inverters, and electrical controls. In certain instances these items are available from multiple suppliers and we generally rely on more than one supplier for each item. At times, certain raw materials and sub-components within our equipment build are procured from a single-source or from a limited number of third party suppliers.`

Key Licenses and Patents, Government Rights to Intellectual Property

Through over 30 years of research and development, we have accumulated extensive scientific and technological expertise. We protect our technological advances as trade secrets, in part through confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants and third parties. We also seek and enforce patents as appropriate. We currently have 10 issued United States patents, 7 patents pending in the United States and 2 foreign patents pending, all of which cover elements of our materials and processing technologies.

The United States government retains the right to obtain a patent on any invention developed under government contracts as to which we do not seek and obtain a patent, and may require us to grant a third party license of such invention if steps to achieving practical application of the invention have not been taken. The United States government also retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable license to all technology developed under government contracts, whether or not patented, for government use, including use by other parties to United States government contracts. Furthermore, our United States government contracts prohibit us from granting exclusive rights to use or sell any inventions unless the grantee agrees that any product using the invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States.

Government Regulation of Contracts

Our United States government contracts are subject to a large number of federal regulations and oversight requirements. Compliance with the array of government regulations requires extensive record keeping and the maintenance of complex policies and procedures relating to all aspects of our business, as well as to work performed for us by any subcontractors. We believe that we have put in place systems and personnel to ensure compliance with all such federal regulations and oversight requirements. All contracts with United States government agencies have been audited by the government through December 2007.  We have not incurred substantial losses as a result of these incurred cost audits.

Research and Development

Our policy is to support as much of our research and development as possible through government contract funding, which we recognize as revenue. Revenues from our research and development contracts funded by the United States government, and their percent of consolidated net sales and revenues were $1.7 million, or 8%, and $760 thousand, or 1%, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Our contracts with the United States government grant to us proprietary rights in any technology developed pursuant to such contracts and grant to the United States government a non-exclusive license to utilize the technology for its benefit. The United States government retains the right to pursue patent protection on any inventions made under these contracts as to which patent protection is not sought and obtained by us. To date, the government has not exercised its rights to patent nor indicated it has or it will do so.  We still have the ability to sell our rights to develop technology and has successfully sold the rights in the past. Our rights to technology developed under contracts with private companies vary, depending upon negotiated terms.

Our internally funded research and development expenditures were $233 thousand and $776 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Customers and Markets

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Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to First Solar, Inc. and revenues from the delivery of biomedical services to Stryker Orthopedics accounted for 12% and 14%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2012.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. and First Solar, Inc. accounted for 16% and 11%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of a solar photovoltaic system to PPS Berkshire Solar LLC accounted for 13% of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and recurring revenues from the sale of solar cell materials to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. accounted for 1% and 12%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. See “UNICOR Relationship” below.

Our export sales, which accounted for 53% and 49% of net sales and revenues for 2012 and 2011, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of our net sales and revenues.  Export sales of 88% and 96% in 2012 and 2011, respectively, were to solar customers with the remainder to biomedical related customers.

The following table shows net sales and revenues by geographic area (based on customer location) for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%
United States	$	10,436	47	%	$	29,827	51	%
Asia	7,971		36	%	21,666		37	%
Europe/N. Africa	3,628		17	%	5,258		9	%
Rest of the world	75		—	%	1,991		3	%
	$	22,110	100	%	$	58,742	100	%

UNICOR Relationship

On November 28, 2008, we entered into a Solicitation/Contract/Order For Commercial Items (the "Cell Materials Contract") to provide Federal Prison Industries, Inc., otherwise known as UNICOR ("UNICOR"), a twenty-two month supply of multicrystalline solar cells for $53.9 million in the aggregate. The parties amended the pricing and quantity to be delivered during the initial two year term six times resulting in an overall decrease in value of the Cell Materials Contract to $36.2 million and extending definite delivery commitments into the first quarter of 2011.  Delivery commenced in the first quarter of 2009 with approximately 34%, 46% and 20% of the amended Cell Materials Contract value delivered in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.  The last amendment modified the contract from a definite quantity to a indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract after the final 20% of definite delivery commitments were delivered in 2011. The amended Cell Materials Contract expired on December 31, 2011.

Additionally, in the third quarter of 2009, under a separate contract, we were awarded a contract to deliver a 50 MW module production line for a Federal prison facility located in Oregon.  We delivered the equipment for this line in the first two quarters of 2010 and completed installation in the second quarter of 2011. 

Environmental Quality

Compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment has not materially affected our capital expenditures, earnings or its competitive position. Currently there are no lawsuits related to the environment or material administrative proceedings pending against us.   

Employees

At December 31, 2012, we had approximately 118 employees, of whom 113 worked full time. Our year-end head count included 72 employees in manufacturing operations, 3 employees in research and development, and 43 employees in sales, general and administrative. We also employ part-time employees and hire independent contractors. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining agreement, and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We believe that our employee relations are good.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

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In addition to the other information in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors inherent in and affecting our business should be considered. The descriptions in this Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially from the results and timing described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described below and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and above in “Business.”

Risks Relating to Our Business

Our success will depend upon our ability to effectively implement our business model of creating or acquiring scientifically advanced technology, developing and manufacturing commercially viable products from such technology and successfully marketing and distributing such products.  The failure to successfully execute any stage of this process could have a materially negative impact on our business and results of operations.

We believe that our continued success will depend upon our ability to create or acquire scientifically advanced technology, apply our technology cost-effectively across product lines and markets, develop or acquire proprietary products, attract and retain skilled development personnel, obtain patent or other protection for our products, obtain required regulatory approvals, manufacture and successfully market our products either directly or through outside distributors and sales representatives and supply sufficient inventory to meet customer demand. There can be no assurance that we will realize financial benefit from our technology development and application efforts, that we will continue to be successful in identifying, developing and marketing new products or enhancing our existing products, or that products or technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.

We have experienced losses from continuing operations and we expect that our operating results will fluctuate in the future.

We have experienced losses from continuing operations in fiscal year 2012 and 2011. These losses have contributed to an accumulated deficit of approximately $15.9 million as of December 31, 2012. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm that accompanies our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 contains an explanatory note regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our revenues have not been sufficient to cover our operating expenses, and we anticipate that we may sustain future losses from operations if revenues do not increase. Future fluctuations in operating results may also be caused by a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. Additional factors that could affect our future operating results include the following:

• Availability of raw materials processed by the capital equipment we provide to our buyers, particularly the polysilicon used in the manufacture of the silicon wafers and solar cells;

• Delays, postponements or cancellations of orders and shipments of our products, particularly in our solar equipment and solar systems businesses where individual order sizes may be large and thus may represent a significant portion of annual revenue;

• Loss of major customers, particularly as a result of customers changing their own product designs in such ways as reduce or eliminate the need for the manufacturing services we provide;

• Reductions in the selling prices of our products and services as a result of competitive pressures;

• Certain customers purchasing our solar equipment and solar systems and need to raise capital or borrow money as they are not currently profitable.  If capital and credit markets are again disrupted this may impact our ability to grow revenues;

• Increased competition from current and future competitors, including competition resulting from services and products utilizing competing technologies;

• Termination of existing grants with government agencies or delays in funding of grants awarded;

• Problems experienced by our solar representatives through which we market, sell, and service certain foreign markets; and

• We have had customers cancel contracts and forfeit their deposits.  This may occur in the future and these deposits may not offset costs incurred until the inventory can be redeployed to other customers.

If we are unable to reach and sustain profitability from our operations, we risk depleting our working capital balances and our business may not continue as a going concern. Even if we are profitable, we may require additional working capital to fund expected growth. Although future sales of assets or technology licenses may be pursued, such sales cannot be assured.  In addition, we may need to raise additional capital, or arrange other sources of funds, in order to sustain our operations.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise such funds if they are required. Even if new financing were available, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or terms that are acceptable to us.

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Should photovoltaic technology be deemed unsuitable for global adoption, coupled with a potential lack of sufficient demand for solar modules or photovoltaic manufacturing equipment, we may experience an adverse effect on our revenues and related profits.

Our ability to expand revenues and reach and sustain profitability is dependant, in large part, on the feasibility of widespread adoption of photovoltaic technology and world demand for solar modules and photovoltaic manufacturing equipment.  Factors associated with the feasibility of widespread adoption of photovoltaic technology and world demand for solar modules and photovoltaic manufacturing equipment, the lack of which would limit the potential customers or expansion of our existing customer base, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Consolidation of equipment manufacturers in the marketplace thereby reducing competitive advantages while experiencing market pricing concessions;

• Global nature of the competitive landscape and challenges associated with geographic diversity;

• Performance and reliability of photovoltaic systems and thin film technology compared to conventional and other non-solar renewable energy sources and products;

• Availability and substance of government subsidies, incentives and renewable portfolio standards to support the development of the solar energy industry;

• Position in the marketplace relative to competition and ability to scale upward as business opportunities are identified; and

• Unforeseen fluctuations in financially viable markets that affect the ability of customers to secure required financing for capital expenditures at competive rates as well as vendor credit constraints and interruptions in materials flow throughout the supply chain.

An increased global supply of photovoltaic modules has caused and may continue to cause structural imbalances in which global photovoltaic module supply exceeds demand, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations

Solar manufacturers have installed production capacity that significantly exceeds global photovoltaic module demand. We believe this structural imbalance between supply and demand (i.e., where production capacity significantly exceeds current global demand) could continue for the foreseeable future, and could effect demand for photovoltaic manufacturing equipment. If our competitors reduce photovoltaic manufacturing equipment pricing to levels near or below their manufacturing costs, or are able to operate at minimal or negative operating margins for sustained periods of time, or if demand for photovoltaic manufacturing equipment does not grow sufficiently, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our biomedical processing services are sold to OEM medical device manufacturers, primarily makers of orthopedic implants. Our ability to expand revenue and reach and sustain profitability depends substantially on the stability and growth of product lines that have incorporated our services into their product offering.

Demand for our customer products may be impacted by recent reforms to the healthcare system in the United States which may adversely affect the demand for our services or impose direct or indirect additional costs.  We may be limited in our ability to raise prices and pass additional costs to our customers.  Our customers or their competitors may introduce new products that compete with existing product lines.  If customers fail to adopt our services in these newer generation of products this may impair our ability to expand and maintain our revenue and reach and sustain profitability.  Our ability to introduce new services is dependent upon medical device manufacturers adopting our technology and the devices being approved by appropriate governmental regulatory authorities, factors over which we have limited control.

The growth of our solar systems business depends on the success of the project development or construction activities associated with a particular contract and the associated risk that projects under development may not receive the required permits or unforeseen delays in the scheduling of construction. Either event may lead to cost overruns and margin erosion.

The costs of development and construction of solar powered facilities involves a number of risks. Potential upfront out-of-pocket costs may be incurred for preliminary engineering, design work permitting, professional fees, and other expenses before we can determine whether a project is economically feasible. Several factors in developing the success of a particular project include:

• Negotiation and execution of acceptable engineering, procurement and construction agreements;

• Obtaining required governmental permits and approvals, including, but not limited to, the right to interconnect to the electric grid;

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• Timely payment of customer  deposits to ensure a positive cash flow by deliverable;

• Facilitating the obtaining of the required construction financing; and

• On schedule implementation and satisfactory sign-off related to completion of construction.

We may enter into fixed price Engineering, Procurement and Construction ("EPC") contracts whereby we act as the project manager for our customers as it relates to the installation of the solar power systems. Major identified costs are estimated at the time of execution of the EPC contract and are the basis for the pricing model to our customers. As these cost estimates are preliminary in nature they may or may not be covered by contracts between us or the subcontractors, suppliers and other parties to the project. Additionally, we require qualified, licensed subcontractors to install our systems and shortages in the labor pool could significantly delay a project or otherwise increase our costs. Should project overruns occur and we are unable to pass these along to our customer, we may not achieve our projected margins.

Disruptions in the capital and credit markets, such as those that occurred in connection with the national and world-wide financial crisis of the late 2000s, could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, or those of our customers or suppliers.

Disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, or those of our customers and suppliers. Such disruptions could adversely affect our ability to draw on our bank credit facilities. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed to conduct or expand our businesses or conduct acquisitions or make other discretionary investments, as well as our ability to effectively hedge our currency or interest rates. These same conditions and disruptions may also adversely impact the capital needs of our customers and suppliers, which, in turn, could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.  These may include project delays as well as longer project cycles from start to finish.

Our business relies in part on a limited number of products, and unfavorable sales and product mix may adversely affect our revenues, operating results and cash flows.

A significant portion of our net sales and revenues have historically been derived from sales of solar equipment module lines augmented by individual sales of simulators, assemblers, laminators and other module equipment which accounted for 56% and 58% of our net sales and revenues for 2012 and 2011, respectively. There can be no assurance that solar equipment module lines and individual equipment component sales will in fact increase or maintain their current level of sales. Circumstances that might have an effect on the sales pipeline and resulting levels of future sales of these products include factors beyond our control. Specifically, demand for solar products and the introduction of competing product offerings by other equipment manufacturers could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow and future prospects.

Our business relies in part on a limited number of customers, and unfavorable developments in relation to any major customer may adversely affect our revenues, operating results and cash flows.

Sales and revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and biomedical services to two different customers accounted for 12% and 14%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2012. Follow on orders from these customers would be subject to a competitive bid process.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to two different customers accounted for 16% and 11%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of a solar photovoltaic system to a customer accounted for 13% of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and revenues from the sale of solar cell materials to the same customer accounted for 1% and 12%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Follow on orders from these customers would be subject to a competitive bid process.

Revenue recognition of solar cell materials, solar systems, turn-key module and cell lines may result in significant fluctuations in operating results in sequential reporting periods and year over year comparisons.  While many of these sales of solar equipment and systems are non-recurring, we have had instances of recurring sales to such customers and may have them in the future.  The contract related to sales of solar cell materials concluded in 2011 and any follow on orders from this customer would be subject to a competitive bid process. If an unfavorable development were to occur with respect to any significant customer it would likely have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and future prospects.

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In order to mitigate potential exposure to risk associated with the collection of receivables, we often request that customers agree to pay an advance down payment upon execution of a purchase and sale agreement. The collection of these advances are critical to improving the cash flow. If however, customers do not accept contract terms that include the payment of advances, there may be a negative effect on our financial condition.

Certain critical raw materials and sub-components purchased within our equipment build are frequently procured from a single-source or from a limited number of third party suppliers within the supply chain. A vendor's inability to deliver on a timely basis could result in manufacturing delays and our capability to meet scheduled ship dates to our customers based upon contractual obligations without incurring additional production costs.

Our inability to procure the raw materials and sub-components based upon acceptable specifications and tolerances within required lead times could disrupt or impair our ability to manufacture our solar equipment or add increased costs to the manufacturing process. Certain critical raw materials and sub-components purchased within our equipment build are frequently procured from a single-source or from a limited number of third party suppliers. Accordingly, the inability of any of our key suppliers to deliver on a timely basis could disrupt our supply chain and adversely affect our operations. Furthermore, in certain instances several of our suppliers tend to be smaller companies that may not be able to maintain a required flow of materials should our volume requirements rapidly increase. Such conditions could find us unable to identify new suppliers able to meet our raw material specifications to be incorporated into our production process on commercially reasonable terms and in a timely manner.

We sell our products and services against established competitors, and entities now operating in related markets may enter our markets. Some of our current and potential competitors have greater financial and technical resources than we do.  Should we be unable to offer our customers products and services that represent attractive price versus value, our business would suffer.

Although we believe that there are considerable barriers to entry into the markets we serve, including a significant investment in specialized capital equipment, product design and development, and the need for a staff with sophisticated scientific and technological knowledge, there can be no assurance that new or existing entities would not seek to enter our markets or that we would be able to compete effectively against such entities.

The photovoltaic market is maturing due to the rapid growth of the industry.  Our future success depends on our ability to sustain our business model.

We currently develop, manufacture and market customized turn-key solutions for the solar industry, including individual pieces of manufacturing equipment and full turn-key lines for cell and module production and testing. As the photovoltaic market matures, there may be fewer opportunities for start up firms.  Further, customer purchasing decisions such as when purchasing decisions are made or how managed, what types of services are combined with purchased equipment may evolve as the industry expands.  For example, we may determine that it is in our best interest to alter our strategy to focus on individual pieces of manufacturing equipment (as opposed to turn key solutions). We may have to offer vendor financing programs.  Potentially re-engineering our focus toward individual pieces of manufacturing equipment and away from turn-key solutions may result in identification of non-productive assets, associated write-downs and/or reserves along with excess capacity and infrastructure costs.

If we are unable to develop and introduce new products successfully or to achieve market acceptance of our new products, our operating results would be adversely affected.

We compete in markets characterized by technological advances and improvements in manufacturing efficiencies. Our ability to operate profitably depends in large part on our timely access to, or development of, technological advances, and on our ability to use those advances to improve existing products, develop new products and manufacture those products efficiently. There can be no assurance that we will realize financial benefit from our development programs, will continue to be successful in identifying, developing and marketing new products or enhancing our existing products, or that products or technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.  The failure to introduce new or enhanced products on a timely and cost competitive basis, or to attain market acceptance for commercial products, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we are not successful in protecting our intellectual property rights, our ability to compete may be harmed.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protections as well as confidentiality agreements and other methods, to protect our proprietary technologies and processes. For example, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and business partners, and control access to and distribution of our proprietary information. We

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have been issued 10 United States patents and have 9 pending patent applications. However, despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, we cannot assure that:

• The steps we take to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property will be successful;

• Any existing or future patents will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented;

• Any pending patent applications or future applications will be approved;

• Others will not independently develop similar products or processes to ours or design around our patents; or

• Any of the measures described above would provide meaningful protection.

A failure by us to meaningfully protect our intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to compete.  In addition, effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain countries.

From time to time we may be subject to lawsuits by other parties seeking to enforce their intellectual property rights.  Any litigation could result in the expenditure of significant financial resources and the diversion of management’s time and resources. In addition, litigation in which we are accused of infringement may have an impact on prospective customers, cause product delays, require us to develop non-infringing technology, make substantial payments to third parties or enter into royalty or license agreements, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If a successful claim of infringement were made against us and we could not develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely and cost-effective basis, we may be forced to stop selling current products or abandon new products under development and we could be exposed to legal actions by our customers.

We depend on others, particularly on agencies of the United States government, for funding our research and development effort.

Most of our research and development work is funded by agencies of the United States government either directly or via their contractors. The recently announced United States government budgetary cuts may materially adversely effect our outside funding for research and development. Loss of outside funding may materially adversely affect our ability to further develop our proprietary technologies and to apply these technologies to our current products and products under development.  If we are unable to maintain our current level of such funding for any reason, we would need to generate funds for such research from other sources, reduce our research and development effort or increase our internal funding for research and development. An increase in internally funded research and development would have a negative impact on our profitability.

Additionally, the process of bidding for, obtaining, retaining and performing United States government contracts is subject to a large number of United States government regulations and oversight requirements. Compliance with these government regulations requires extensive record keeping and the maintenance of complex policies and procedures relating to all aspects of our business, as well as to work performed for us by any subcontractors. Any failure to comply with applicable regulations, or to require our subcontractors so to comply, could result in a variety of adverse consequences, ranging from remedial requirements to termination of contracts, reimbursement of fees, reduction of fees on a going forward basis and prohibition from obtaining future United States government contracts. While we believe that we have in place systems and personnel to ensure compliance with all United States government regulations relating to contracting, we cannot assure that we will at all times be in compliance or that any failure to comply will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

The U.S. government has certain rights relating to our intellectual property.

The United States government retains the right to obtain a patent on any invention developed under government contracts as to which we do not seek and obtain a patent, and may require us to grant a third party license of such invention if steps to achieving practical application of the invention have not been taken.  The United States government also retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable license to all technology developed under government contracts, whether or not patented, for government use, including use by other parties to United States government contracts. Furthermore, our United States government contracts prohibit us from granting exclusive rights to use or sell any inventions unless the grantee agrees that any product using the invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States.

Our success depends on our ability to hire and retain qualified technical personnel, and if we are unable to do so, our product development efforts and customer relations will suffer.

Our products require sophisticated manufacturing, research and development, marketing and sales, and technical support. Our success depends on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified technical personnel in each of these areas. Competition for personnel in all of these areas is intense and we may not be able to hire or retain sufficient personnel to achieve our goals or support

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the anticipated growth in our business. The market for the highly trained personnel we require is very competitive, due to the limited number of people available with the necessary technical skills and understanding of our products and technology. If we fail to hire and retain qualified personnel, our product development efforts and customer relations will suffer.

We are subject to environmental laws and other legal requirements that have the potential to subject us to substantial liability and increase our costs of doing business.

Our properties and business operations are subject to a wide variety of federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and other legal requirements, including those relating to the storage, use, discharge and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous substances used in our manufacturing processes. We cannot assure that these legal requirements will not impose on us the need for additional capital expenditures or other requirements. If we fail to obtain required permits or otherwise fail to operate within these or future legal requirements, we may be required to pay substantial penalties, suspend our operations or make costly changes to our manufacturing processes or facilities. Although we believe that we are in compliance and have complied with all applicable legal requirements, we may also be required to incur additional costs to comply with current or future legal requirements.

New regulations related to "conflict minerals" may force us to incur additional expenses and face reputational challenges.

In August 2012, the SEC adopted its final rule to implement Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act regarding disclosure and reporting requirements for companies who use "conflict" minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries in their products. The first reporting period is calendar year 2013 with the first report due by May 13, 2014. Depending on our conflict minerals source designation, we may be able to delay our first report for up to four additional years. These new requirements could adversely affect our ability to source related minerals and metals and increase our related costs. We may face difficulties and increased expense associated with complying with the disclosure requirements, such as costs related to determining the existence and source of any conflict minerals used in our products. Also, because our supply chain is complex, and some suppliers may be unwilling to share related confidential information regarding the source of their products, we may face reputational challenges if we are unable to sufficiently verify the existence or origins of the subject minerals and metals.

Our international sales subject us to risks that could adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

Sales to customers located outside the U.S. have historically accounted for a significant percentage of our revenue (approximately 53% in 2012) and we anticipate that such sales will continue to be a significant percentage of our revenue. International sales involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks related to:

• Reliance on strategic alliance partners such as representatives and licensees;

• Compliance with changing foreign regulatory requirements and tax laws;

• Reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;

• Longer payment cycles to collect accounts receivable in some countries;

• Increased costs or reduced revenues as a result of movements in foreign currency exchange rates;

• Political instability;

• Economic downturns in international markets;

• Strengthening of the United States dollar may negatively impact our foreign customers ability to purchase our products and services.

• Trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make our product offering less competitive in some countries; and

• Changing restrictions imposed by United States export laws. 

Failure to successfully address these risks and uncertainties could adversely affect our international sales, which could in turn have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The global nature of our revenue subjects us to the legal systems of the international countries in which we offer and sell our products.

We offer and sell our products internationally which accounted for 53% and 49% of net sales and revenue for 2012 and 2011, respectively. As such, we are or could become subject to the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Laws and regulations include but are not limited to health and safety and environmental regulations, which are specific to the countries in which we sell our products. Accordingly we design our equipment to ensure their compliance with all applicable known standards. Continued compliance to satisfy ever changing legal and regulatory requirements, may cause us to incur additional

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costs leading to margin erosion. Accordingly, foreign laws and regulations which are applicable to us may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow and future prospects.

As a result of the laws and regulations of the foreign jurisdictions in which we carry on business, we may experience difficulty in enforcing customer purchase and sale agreements or certain provisions included therein including but not limited to product warranty which is normally provided to our customers. The inability to enforce our contractual rights in foreign jurisdictions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow and future prospects.

The use of our medical related products (including our former catheter products), as well as our photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment, entails a risk of physical injury; the defense of claims arising from such risk may exceed our insurance coverage and distract our management.

The use of orthopedic and other medical devices may entail a risk of physical injury to patients. To the extent we fail to meet the manufacturers’ specifications in performing our biomedical processing services, we may be exposed to potential product liability and other damage claims.  We have had cases brought against us as a supplier of services with other defendants over the alleged manufacture and sale of defective heart valves. In the past, we have settled a case alleging that our catheter contributed to a patient’s death in Ohio.  Further, in 2010 we concluded a voluntary recall of certain hemodialysis catheters as the manufacturer of record due to a vendor molding issue. While no claims of product liability or other damages have been initiated against us due to the recall, this does not preclude such an event occurring as we have recalled only unused inventory held by distributors and hospitals.  Even though we have completed the sale of our catheter product line to Bard, we are still the manufacturer of record of catheters implanted in patients, we are still responsible for those devices that we manufactured and are still liable for any recalls of any of these devices in the future. Furthermore, the use of our photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment could result in operator injury. We maintain product liability and umbrella insurance coverage; however, there can be no assurance that any product liability claim assessed against us would not exceed our insurance coverage, or that insurance coverage would continue to be available. While we typically obtain agreements of indemnity from manufacturers of biomedical products for which we provide manufacturing services, there can be no assurance that any such indemnity agreements will be enforceable or that such manufacturers will have adequate funds to meet their obligations under such agreements. The cost of defending a product liability, negligence or other action, and/or assessment of damages in excess of insurance coverage, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

As we seek to expand our business globally, growth opportunities may be impacted by greater political, economic and social uncertainty and the continuing and accelerating globalization of businesses could significantly change the dynamics of our competition, customer base and product offerings.

Our efforts to grow our businesses depend to a large extent upon access to, and our success in developing market share and operating profitably in additional geographic markets including but not limited to South America, Middle East, China, Africa and India. In some cases, these countries or regions have greater political and economic volatility, greater vulnerability to infrastructure and labor disruptions and differing local customer product preferences and requirements than our other markets. Operating and seeking to expand business in a number of different regions and countries exposes us to multiple and potentially conflicting cultural practices, business practices and legal and regulatory requirements that are subject to change, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers, investments, property ownership rights, taxation and repatriation of earnings and advanced technologies. Expanding business operations globally also increases exposure to currency fluctuations which can materially affect our financial results. As these emerging geographic markets become more important to us, our competitors are also seeking to expand their production capacities and sales in these same markets. While we maintain a positive corporate image and our brand is widely recognized and valued in its traditional markets, the brand is less well known in some emerging markets which could impede our efforts to successfully compete in these markets. Although we are taking measures to adapt to these changing circumstances, our reputation and/or business results could be negatively affected should these efforts prove unsuccessful.

Changes in the availability and price of used solar equipment and spare parts on the secondary / used equipment market could result in lower sales of new solar equipment manufactured by us along with increasing cost due to the inability to obtain economies of scale for purchasing raw materials which could, in turn, result in lower profits on sales of our products.

The global economic slowdown within the solar industry has resulted in the closure of several photovoltaic manufactures along with current manufactures to scale down operations via liquidating manufacturing equipment. The liquidation of these photovoltaic manufactures has resulted in a secondary market of used manufacturing equipment being sold which is directly competing with our new solar equipment. Additionally, as we manufacture fewer units of equipment due to the excess used equipment market, we may experience higher raw material cost to build new equipment due to lower volume of production which negatively impacts our ability to obtain economies of scale when purchasing raw material components. Changes in the price of these raw material components are more likely to occur during times of economic volatility, can significantly increase the costs

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of production which could have a material negative effect on the profitability of our business, particularly if we, due to pricing considerations to compete with used equipment supplies, are unable to recover the increased costs from our customers.

We may incur material costs related to extended product warranties, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, we have offered an extended warranty period to our customers for our manufactured equipment. These extended warranties may lengthen the life of the equipment along with incurring additional cost to maintain the customers' equipment which may negatively impact profitability. Photovoltaic manufacturers are increasingly requiring their capital equipment vendors to offer extended warranty periods for their capital equipment purchases. Warranty claims may range from individual components being replaced to complicated electronic and software PC boards being rebuilt. We cannot assure you that costs associated with providing extended product warranties will not will not exceed amounts accrued for in our consolidated financial statements.

Risks Related to Our Company

We may not be able to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, which would adversely affect the price and liquidity of our common stock.

Our stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.  In order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we must satisfy Nasdaq continued listing requirements.  Under Nasdaq rules, we will maintain our listing so long as we meet, among other requirements, one of the following three requirements:

• stockholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million (Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(1)), bid price of at least $1 and market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of at least $1 million (Marketplace Rule 5550(a));

• market value of listed securities of at least $35 million (Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(2)), bid price of at least $1 and market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of at least $1 million (Marketplace Rule 5550(a)); or

• net income from continuing operations of at least $500 thousand for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years (Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(3)), bid price of at least $1 and market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of at least $1 million (Marketplace Rule 5550(a)).

As of the date of this Annual Report, while we are meeting the continued listing requirements set forth in the first bullet point above with respect to stockholders' equity ($7.5 million as of December 31, 2012) and the market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates (approximately $4.4 million as of March 5, 2013), we are not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00, as discussed below.

On June 26, 2012, we received a notice from Nasdaq advising us that for 30 consecutive trading days preceding the date of the notice, the bid price of our common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”). We were given 180 calendar days, or until December 24, 2012, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule.

On December 26, 2012, we received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that the Nasdaq staff had determined that we were eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period, or until June 24, 2013, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule. The determination was based on us meeting the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other applicable requirements for initial listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Rule, and our written notice of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.

If, at any time before June 24, 2013, the bid price of the our common stock closes at $1.00 or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, unless the staff exercises its discretion to extend this 10-day period, the staff will provide written confirmation of compliance to us. If we implement a reverse stock split, we must complete the split no later than 10 business days prior to the expiration date in order to timely regain compliance.

If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule by June 24, 2013, Nasdaq will provide written notification to us that our common stock may be delisted. At that time, we may appeal the delisting determination to a Hearings Panel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the Nasdaq rules and thereby maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

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If we fail to maintain compliance with these rules and our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market, there could be a number of negative implications, including reduced liquidity in the common stock as a result of the loss of market efficiencies associated with the Nasdaq Capital Market, the loss of federal preemption of state securities laws, the potential loss of confidence by suppliers, customers and employees, as well as the loss of analyst coverage and institutional investor interest, fewer business development opportunities and greater difficulty in obtaining financing.

Our Company is subject to significant influence by principal stockholder.

Roger G. Little, our founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, controls approximately 32% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Mr. Little is in a position to exert significant influence over actions which require stockholder approval and generally to direct our affairs, including the election of directors, potential acquisitions and sales or otherwise preventing or delaying changes in control of our Company that may be otherwise viewed as beneficial by shareholders other than Mr. Little.

We do not pay dividends and we may not pay dividends in the future.

We have paid no cash dividends since our inception. We anticipate retaining any future earnings for reinvestment in operations and do not anticipate that dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the return on investment should be expected to depend on changes in the market price of our common stock.

The market price for our common stock has been volatile and future volatility could cause the value of investments in our Company to fluctuate.

Our stock price has experienced significant volatility. We expect that uncertainty regarding demand for our products will cause our stock price to continue to be volatile. In addition, the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors, among others, upon the market price of our common stock:

• Overall economic conditions and general market volatility;

• Changes in investment analysts’ estimates of our revenues and operating results;

• Our failure to meet investment analysts’ performance expectations; and

• Changes in market valuations of other companies in the alternative energy or biomedical industries.

In addition, many of the risks described elsewhere in this section could materially and adversely affect our stock price, as discussed in those risk factors. U.S. financial markets have recently experienced substantial price and volume volatility. Fluctuations such as these have affected and are likely to continue to affect the market price of our common stock.

Some of the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley affect us as a small company disproportionately, and we may not be able to comply in a timely manner despite substantial effort and expense.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposed many new requirements on public companies, the most significant of which involves the documentation, testing and reporting of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

We are required to report on our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have documented and tested our internal controls in 2012 and 2011 and this effort involved substantial time and expense. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, management of our Company concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our credit agreements with Silicon Valley Bank subjects us to various restrictions, which may limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.

Our credit agreements with Silicon Valley Bank subjects us to various restrictions on our ability to engage in certain activities without the prior written consent of the bank, including, among other things, our ability to:

• Dispose of or encumber assets, other than in the ordinary course of business,

• Incur additional indebtedness,

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• Merge or consolidate with other entities, or acquire other businesses, and

• Make investments.

The agreements also subject us to various financial and other covenants with which we must comply on an ongoing or periodic basis. As long as any commitment remains outstanding under the credit agreements, we must comply with a financial covenant, whereby we must maintain a minimum cash balance and availability line of credit. If we violate these or any other covenant, any outstanding debt under these agreements could become immediately due and payable, the bank could proceed against any collateral securing indebtedness and our ability to borrow funds in the future may be restricted or eliminated. These restrictions may also limit our ability to pursue business opportunities or strategies that we would otherwise consider to be in the best interests of the company.

Our credit agreements with Silicon Valley Bank is due to expire on June 29, 2013, which may adversely affect our working capital.

If our credit agreements with Silicon Valley Bank are not renewed, we would have to pay down the credit facilities balance at that time, reducing our cash balance and working capital.

We recognize revenue in accordance with various complex accounting standards, and changes in circumstances or interpretations may lead to accounting adjustments.

Our revenue recognition policies involve application of various complex accounting standards, including accounting guidance associated with revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Our compliance with such accounting standards often involves management's judgment regarding whether the criteria set forth in the standards have been met such that we can recognize as revenue the amounts that we receive as payment for our products or services. We base our judgments on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, these judgments, or the assumptions underlying them, may change over time. Changes in circumstances or third-party guidance could cause our judgement to change with respect to our interpretations of these complex standards, and transactions recorded, including revenue recognized, for one or more prior reporting periods, which could be adversely affected.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.Properties

Our corporate headquarters are located at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts. This 144,230 square foot facility is leased and contains our administrative offices, sales and marketing offices, research and development facilities and the manufacturing facilities of our biomedical and solar equipment and systems businesses. The related party lease expires in November 2017.  We believe that our facilities are suitable for their present intended purposes and adequate for our current level of operations.

Prior to the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit, we leased an approximately 90,000 square foot facility in Hudson, New Hampshire for the Semiconductor Business Unit. In connection with sale of this business, the lease was terminated on March 9, 2012 and we were released from all future obligations under the lease as of that date. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of our business operations.

On February 4, 2011, Silicon International Ltd. ("SI") filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts, and on February 11, 2011 served a summons, against us alleging breach of contract related to SI's activities acting as a former sales and service representative of ours within China. The complaint makes claims regarding amounts allegedly owed to SI by us, specifically with regard to allegedly owed commissions. SI is seeking payment of commissions allegedly owed to it. We filed our answer and counterclaims against SI on February 24, 2011, denying SI's allegations, and claiming that SI interfered in our business relationships and generally engaged in multiple breaches of contract against us. In January 2013, both parties filed formal opposition to the opposing parties' motion to dismiss various claims and allegations. The ultimate outcome of this legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim. It is not possible at this time to provide meaningful estimates as to amount or range of potential loss, but we do not expect that

15

these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse affect on our future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

We are not aware of any other current or pending legal proceedings to which we are or may be a party that we believe could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition or cash flows.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

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PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SPIR.”  The following chart sets forth the high and low bid prices for the common stock for the periods shown:

	High Bid		Low Bid
2012
First Quarter	$	2.47	$	0.51
Second Quarter	1.16		0.38
Third Quarter	0.68		0.44
Fourth Quarter	0.59		0.31
2011
First Quarter	$	6.14	$	3.77
Second Quarter	4.64		1.87
Third Quarter	2.69		0.26
Fourth Quarter	1.77		0.46

These prices do not reflect retail mark-ups, markdowns or commissions and may not reflect actual transactions. The closing price of the common stock on March 5, 2013 was $0.72 and on that date, there were 245 shareholders of record. The number of holders does not include individuals or entities who beneficially own shares but whose shares are held of record by a broker or clearing agency, but does include each such broker or clearing agency as one record holder.

Dividends

We did not pay any cash dividends during 2012 or 2011 and currently do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future so that we may reinvest our earnings in the development of our business. The payment of dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  In addition, under our credit agreements with Silicon Valley Bank, we may not pay dividends on our common stock without the consent of the bank.

Item 6.Selected Financial Data

Not required as we are a smaller reporting company.

Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section and other parts of this Report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, and similar expressions. Our actual results and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from the results and timing described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those factors described below and above under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 1. Business.” Readers are encouraged to carefully review those risk factors.  The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in light of those factors and in conjunction with our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto.

Overview

We develop, manufacture and market highly-engineered products and services in two principal business areas: (i) capital equipment and systems for the photovoltaic solar industry and (ii) biomedical, generally bringing to bear expertise in materials technologies, surface science and thin films across both business areas, discussed below.

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In the photovoltaic solar area, we develop, manufacture and market specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells and provide photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets.  Our equipment has been installed in approximately 200 factories in 50 countries.  The equipment market is very competitive with major competitors located in the U.S., Japan and Europe.  Our flagship product is our Sun Simulator which tests module performance.  Our other product offerings include turn-key module lines and to a lesser extent other individual equipment.  To compete we offer other services such as training and assistance with module certification.  We also provide turn-key services to our customers to backward integrate to solar cell manufacturing. At times, we supply materials such as solar cells to certain customers.

In the biomedical area, we provide value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial characteristics or other material characteristics of their products; and perform sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies.

On December 14, 2009, we completed the sale of our Medical Products Business Unit, which develops and markets coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, to Bard. Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

On March 9, 2012, we completed the sale of our Semiconductor Business Unit, which provides semiconductor foundry services, operates a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and is engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets, to Masimo. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Operating results will depend upon revenue growth and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from our solar equipment line and delivery of solar systems.  Export sales, which amounted to 53% and 49% of net sales and revenues for 2012 and 2011, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of our net sales and revenues.

Results of Operations

The following discussions of our results of continuing operations exclude the results related to the Medical Products Business Unit and the Semiconductor Business Unit, which were sold on December 14, 2009 and March 9, 2012, respectively. The Medical Products Business Unit and the Semiconductor Business Unit have been segregated from continuing operations and are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See “Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax” below and Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

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The following table sets forth certain items as a percentage of net sales and revenues for the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011
Net sales and revenues	100	%	100	%
Cost of sales and revenues	(76	)	(76	)
Gross margin	24		24
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(53	)	(25	)
Internal research and development expenses	(1	)	(1	)
Gain on termination of contracts	—		1
Operating loss from continuing operations	(30	)	(1	)
Other expense, net	—		—
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit	(30	)	(1	)
Income tax benefit - continuing operations	9		1
Net loss from continuing operations	(21	)	—
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	13		(3	)
Net loss	(8	)%	(3	)%

Overall

Our total net sales and revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 (“2012”) decreased 62% to $22.1 million as compared to $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011”). The decrease was primarily attributable to a $35.7 million decrease in solar revenue and a $930 thousand decrease in biomedical revenue.

Solar Business Unit

Sales in our solar business unit decreased 70% to $15.3 million in 2012 as compared to $51.0 million in 2011.  The decrease in solar business unit revenue is primarily the result of a decrease in solar module equipment revenue in 2012 of $21.7 million, a decrease in solar system revenue of $8.7 million and a decrease in solar cell material revenue in 2012 of $7.2 million, due to the completion of definite delivery commitments to a solar cell materials contract in the first quarter of 2011, partially offset by an increase in solar R&D revenue of $1.3 million in 2012. Lower government incentives in the photovoltaic market and the world-wide oversupply of photovoltaic modules relative to market demand has led to precipitously declining prices in the photovoltaic market. The oversupply has also resulted in reduced demand for photovoltaic manufacturing equipment that will not improve until the module supply/demand imbalance is rectified via the growing photovoltaic systems market. Our Solar Business Unit has been negatively impacted by this reduction in demand which is contributing to decreased revenue in our solar business unit. 

Biomedical Business Unit

Revenues in our biomedical business unit decreased 12% to $6.9 million in 2012 as compared to $7.8 million in 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenue from our orthopedics coating services and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in revenue from our research and development contracts.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Net Sales and Revenues

The following table categorizes our net sales and revenues for the periods presented:

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	Year Ended December 31,				Increase (Decrease)
(in thousands)	2012		2011		$			%
Sales of goods	$	12,989	$	50,744	$	(37,755	)	(74	)%
Contract research and service revenues	9,121		7,998		1,123			14	%
Net sales and revenues	$	22,110	$	58,742	$	(36,632	)	(62	)%

The 74% decrease in sales of goods for 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to a decrease of $21.7 million in solar module manufacturing equipment revenues, a decrease of $8.7 million in solar systems revenues and a decrease of $7.2 million in solar cell materials revenue. The decrease in solar module equipment sales of 64% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to a decrease in individual module equipment units delivered in 2012. The decrease in sales of solar systems of 99% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to the completion of a photovoltaic system project in 2011. The decrease in sales of solar cell materials, all to one customer, of 100% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was due to the completion of definite delivery commitments to a solar cell materials contract in the first quarter of 2011. Lower government incentives in the photovoltaic market and the world-wide oversupply of photovoltaic modules relative to market demand has led to precipitously declining prices in the photovoltaic market. The oversupply has also resulted in reduced demand for photovoltaic manufacturing equipment that will not improve until the module supply/demand imbalance is rectified via the growing photovoltaic systems market. Our Solar Business Unit has been negatively impacted by this reduction in demand which is contributing to decreased sales of goods. 

The 14% increase in contract research and service revenues for 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily attributable to an increase of $1.4 million in solar research and development revenue and an increase of $701 thousand in equipment research and development revenue, partially offset by a decrease of $921 thousand in biomedical revenue. The increase in solar research and development revenue of 604% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to two new research and development projects started with the U.S. Department of Energy in 2012. The increase in equipment research and development revenue in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to new research and development projects started in 2012. Revenues from our biomedical services decreased 12% in 2012 compared to 2011 as a result of a slight decrease in the number and value of biomedical orders in 2012.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to First Solar, Inc. and revenues from the delivery of biomedical services to Stryker Orthopedics accounted for 12% and 14%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2012.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. and First Solar, Inc. accounted for 16% and 11%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of a solar photovoltaic system to PPS Berkshire Solar LLC accounted for 13% of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and recurring revenues from the sale of solar cell materials to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. accounted for 1% and 12%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011.

Cost of Sales and Revenues

The following table categorizes our cost of sales and revenues for the periods presented, stated in dollars and as a percentage of related sales and revenues:

	Years Ended December 31,								Increase (Decrease)
(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%		$			%
Cost of goods sold	$	11,943	92	%	$	40,171	79	%	$	(28,228	)	(70	)%
Cost of contract research and services	4,896		54	%	4,581		57	%	315			7	%
Net cost of sales and revenues	$	16,839	76	%	$	44,752	76	%	$	(27,913	)	(62	)%

Cost of goods sold decreased 70% for 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of decreased costs related to solar module equipment, solar systems and solar cell materials, partially offset by a slight increase in advanced technology center costs. The decrease in solar module equipment costs of 54% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to a decrease in associated revenue. The decrease of solar system costs of 97% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to the completion of a photovoltaic system project in 2011 as compared to none in 2012. The decrease in costs of solar cell materials, all to one customer, of 100% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was due to the completion of definite delivery commitments to a solar cell materials contract

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in the first quarter of 2011. As a percentage of sales, cost of goods sold was 92% of sales of goods in 2012 as compared to 79% of sales of goods in 2011. This increase in the percentage of sales in 2012 is due primarily to a lower utilization of capacity.

Cost of contract research and services increased 7% for 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of increased costs related to solar and equipment research and development services, partially offset by a slight decrease in costs related to biomedical services. The increase in solar research and development services costs of 192% in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to an increase in associated revenue from two government funded solar research projects. Cost of contract research and services as a percentage of related revenue decreased to 54% of related revenues in 2012 from 57% in 2011, primarily due to higher margin orders in solar and equipment research and development services.

Cost of sales and revenues also includes approximately $52 thousand and $93 thousand of share-based compensation in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Operating Expenses

The following table categorizes our operating expenses for the periods presented, stated in dollars and as a percentage of net sales and revenues:

	Years Ended December 31,								Decrease
(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%		$			%
Selling, general and administrative	$	11,676	53	%	$	14,466	25	%	$	(2,790	)	(19	)%
Internal research and development	233		1	%	776		1	%	(543		)	(70	)%
Operating expenses	$	11,909	54	%	$	15,242	26	%	$	(3,333	)	(22	)%

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased 19% in 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of a decrease in marketing, deferred rent and employee related expenses and a decrease in agent commissions in the solar business unit due to a decrease in solar module manufacturing equipment revenues.  In addition, a net benefit was realized related to the change in value of the deferred compensation plan. Selling, general and administrative expense increased to 53% of sales and revenues in 2012 as compared to 25% in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to the decrease in sales and revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include approximately $150 thousand and $252 thousand of share-based compensation in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Internal Research and Development Expenses

Internal research and development expense decreased 70% in 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of lower levels of internal research and development spent in the solar business unit due to an increase in funded research and development.  As a percentage of sales and revenue, internal research and development expenses remained constant in 2012 when compared to 2011.

Gains on Termination of Contracts

In the fourth quarter of 2011, we determined that a purchase and sale agreement with Genus Innovation Ltd. (“Genus”) related to a module manufacturing line was terminated due to a breach of contract by Genus. Genus had failed to take delivery of equipment and make payments as required by the agreement. In the third quarter of 2011, we formally notified Genus that they were in breach of the agreement and provided Genus until October 30, 2011 to cure the breach. Genus failed to cure the breach as required by the agreement and we sent Genus formal notification on October 31, 2011 that the agreement was terminated. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $409 thousand which relates to Genus' non-refundable deposit. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, we determined that a purchase and sale agreement, as amended, with Evergreen Solar Systems India (P) Ltd. ("Evergreen") related to a module manufacturing line expansion was terminated due to a breach of contract by Evergreen. Evergreen had failed to make payments as required by the agreement and has not responded to numerous communications by us. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $35 thousand which relates to Evergreen's non-refundable deposit. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

Other Income (Expense), Net

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We incurred interest expense of $120 thousand and $141 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The decrease in interest expense is due to lower interest payments due to reduced amounts outstanding under the credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank in 2012 compared with 2011. We had currency exchange losses of $7 thousand and gains of $8 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax benefit on our loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million and $890 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively, which was offset by a provision on our income from discontinued operations of $1.9 million and $914 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Gross federal net operating loss carryforwards were approximately $13.9 million as of December 31, 2012 and expire at various times through 2032. We have a full valuation allowance recorded against the net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012 due to uncertainty regarding realization of these assets in the future.

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations

During the first quarter of 2012, we began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our Semiconductor Business Unit.

On March 9, 2012, we completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations.

During the second quarter of 2009, we began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our Medical Products Business Unit.  On December 14, 2009, we completed the sale of the Medical Products Business Unit to Bard Access Systems, Inc.  Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations.

We recorded net income from discontinued operations of $2.9 million and a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Included in discontinued operations for 2012 is a gain on sale of business unit to Masimo of $5.4 million and an income tax provision of $1.9 million. Included in the gain of $5.4 million is proceeds received from Masimo of $8.0 million, less assets and liabilities assumed by Masimo of $2.1 million and legal and professional fees related to complete the sale of $425 thousand. Included in discontinued operations for 2011 is a net gain on legal settlement of $2.3 million and an income tax provision of $914 thousand. Included in the net gain of $2.3 million is proceeds received from a contract manufacturer of $2.5 million, less legal costs of $214 thousand. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Net Loss

We reported a net loss of $1.9 million and $1.5 million for 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net loss increased approximately $375 thousand, primarily due to a $8.0 million decrease in 2012 solar equipment margin, a $675 thousand decrease in 2012 biomedical services margin and a $374 thousand decrease in 2012 gain on termination of contracts, partially offset by a $5.4 million improvement from discontinued operations before tax in 2012 and decreased operating expenses of $3.3 million in 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

	December 31,		December 31,		Increase (Decrease)
(in thousands)	2012		2011		$			%
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,030	$	4,758	$	(1,728	)	(36	)%
Working capital	$	6,616	$	5,700	$	916		16	%

Cash and cash equivalents decreased due to cash used in operating activities and to a lesser extent financing activities, partially offset by cash provided by investing activities. Included in investing activities is one time payments received in the first quarter of 2012 totaling $6.6 million related to the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit included in discontinued operations. The overall increase in working capital is due to a decrease in current liabilities, primarily accounts payable, accrued liabilities, advances on contracts in progress and liabilities of discontinued operations, partially offset by a decline in cash, accounts receivable, inventory, deposits on equipment for inventory and assets of discontinued operations. We have historically funded our operating cash requirements using operating cash flow, proceeds from the sale and licensing of technology and assets and proceeds from the sale of equity securities.

There are no material commitments by us for capital expenditures. At December 31, 2012, our accumulated deficit was approximately $15.9 million compared to accumulated deficit of approximately $14.1 million as of December 31, 2011.

During the first quarter of 2012, we began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our Semiconductor Business Unit and on March 9, 2012, we completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo Corporation. The asset purchase agreement provided that the aggregate purchase price for the Semiconductor Business Unit was $8.0 million plus the assumption of $500

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thousand in liabilities, with the cash portion of the purchase price being reduced by retained cash and liabilities assumed by Masimo in excess of $500 thousand. As a result, in the fist quarter of 2012 we received approximately $7.3 million in cash (less the escrow described below) and Masimo assumed approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. Of the purchase price, approximately $718 thousand was deposited into an indemnity escrow account for fifteen months (or until June, 2013) to partially secure our obligations for any indemnity claims under the asset purchase agreement. In connection with this transaction, the lease for the premises in Hudson, New Hampshire where the Semiconductor Business Unit was located was terminated on March 9, 2012, and we were released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

We currently believe that our existing cash resources at December 31, 2012, will be sufficient to fund our operations into the second half of 2013; however, we cannot assure you of this. The maturity date of our credit facilities is June 29, 2013. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in their report on our consolidated financial statements.

We have various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as we have done in the past; however, there are no assurances that we will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values. We have developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expand revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions.  Our inability to successfully implement our cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew our credit facilities, could adversely impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

Based on the forecasts and estimates underlying our current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Loan Agreements

We have two separate credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank” or “SVB”): (i) a Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement and (ii) an Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement pursuant to which outstanding amounts under this facility are guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the “EXIM Bank”).

On December 20, 2012, we entered into with the Bank (i) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Ex-Im Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Loan Modification Agreements, we agreed with the Bank to (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from December 29, 2012 to June 29, 2013 and (ii) decrease the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from $6 million to $1.5 million, with up to $1 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility and up to $1.5 million available under the Ex-Im Facility. In addition, the guidance line has been extended to support letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $1.5 million through June 29, 2013. If we achieve certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, we will not be required to cash collateralize letters of credit issued under this guidance line.

Our obligations under these two credit facilities, as well as the guidance line, are secured by substantially all of our assets. Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are limited to 80% of eligible receivables. Advances under the Ex-Im Facility are limited to (i) 90% of eligible receivables subject to a suitable foreign currency hedge agreement if applicable, plus (ii) 75% of all other eligible receivables billed in foreign currency, plus (iii) 50% of the value of eligible inventory, as defined. Under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility, as long as any commitment remains outstanding under the facilities, we must comply with a financial covenant by maintaining a minimum cash balance of $1.0 million. In addition, until all amounts under the credit facilities with the Bank are repaid, covenants under the credit facilities impose restrictions on our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create or permit liens on our assets, merge, consolidate or dispose of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), make dividend and other restricted payments, make certain debt or equity investments, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates or change the business conducted by us. Any failure by the us to comply with the covenants and obligations under the credit facilities could result in an event of default, in which case the Bank may be entitled to declare all amounts owed to be due and payable immediately.

Under the credit facilities, interest on outstanding borrowings accrues at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the prime rate plus 2.5% or (ii) 7.0%. In addition, if we achieve certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, we will have a 0.5% lower interest rate.

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Advances outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $449 thousand and zero at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Advances outstanding under the Ex-Im Facility were $141 thousand and $1.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012, the interest rate per annum on the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility was 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. We have utilized $675 thousand and $1.4 million of the guidance line at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Combined availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility was $549 thousand as of December 31, 2012.

Gain on Legal Settlement

During the fourth quarter of 2011, we received a cash payment of $2.5 million in settlement of a breach of contract dispute with a contract manufacturer and in turn recorded a net gain on legal settlement of $2.3 million. This amount has been recorded as a component of net income from discontinued operations.

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $7.8 million in 2012, which includes $1.7 million of cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.1 million in 2011, which includes $793 thousand of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2012, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $3.0 million compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2011. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in their report on our consolidated financial statements.

We have various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as we has done in the past; however, there are no assurances that we will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values.  The maturity date of our credit facilities is June 29, 2013. We have developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expand revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions.  Our inability to successfully implement our cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew our credit facilities, could adversely impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

Based on the forecasts and estimates underlying our current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

The following table summarizes our gross contractual obligations at December 31, 2012 and the maturity periods and the effect that such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

	Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations	Total		Less than 1 Year		2 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than  5 Years
(in thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility (SVB)	$	449	$	449	$	—	$	—	$	—
Ex-Im Facility (SVB)	141		141		—		—		—
Purchase obligations	718		700		17		1		—
Unrelated party capital leases	23		15		8		—		—
Operating leases:
Unrelated party operating leases	184		136		48		—		—
Related party operating leases	12,067		2,313		4,844		4,910		—
	$	13,582	$	3,754	$	4,917	$	4,911	$	—

Purchase obligations include all open purchase orders outstanding regardless of whether they are cancelable or not. Included in purchase obligations are raw material, equipment and services needed to fulfill customer orders.

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The Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility do not include an interest component to the contractual obligation.

Outstanding letters of credit totaled $675 thousand and $1.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The letters of credit secure performance obligations and purchase commitments, and allow holders to draw funds up to the face amount of the letter of credit if we do not perform as contractually required.  The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2012 were secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility. The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2011 were secured by $21 thousand of restricted cash and the remainder was secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The update requires companies to disclose information about financial instruments that have been offset and related arrangements to enable users of their financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial position. Companies will be required to provide both net (offset amounts) and gross information in the notes to the financial statements for relevant assets and liabilities that are offset. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We do not expect the application of this update to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, entities must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012, which only changed the manner of comprehensive income presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The application of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 ("ASU 2011-12"), Comprehensive Income: Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. As part of this update, the FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. We do not expect the application of this update to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, an amendment to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The update revises the application of the valuation premise of highest and best use of an asset, the application of premiums and discounts for fair value determination, as well as the required disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measures and the highest and best use of nonfinancial assets. The update provides additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements and clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited. We applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and the application of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Historically, our business has not been materially impacted by inflation. Manufacturing equipment and solar systems are generally quoted, manufactured and shipped within a cycle of approximately nine months, allowing for orderly pricing adjustments to the cost of labor and purchased parts. We have not experienced any negative effects from the impact of inflation on long-term contracts. Our service business is not expected to be seriously affected by inflation because its procurement-production cycle typically ranges from two weeks to several months, and prices generally are not fixed for more than one year. Research and development contracts usually include cost escalation provisions.

Foreign Currency Fluctuation

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We sell almost exclusively in U.S. dollars, generally against an irrevocable non-transferable confirmed letter of credit through a major United States bank. Accordingly, we are not directly affected by foreign exchange fluctuations on our current sales orders. However, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates do have an effect on our customers' access to U.S. dollars and on the pricing competition on certain pieces of equipment that we sell in selected markets. We bear the risk of any currency fluctuations that may be associated with these commitments. We attempt to hedge known transactions when possible to minimize foreign exchange risk. We had no hedging activity in 2012 and 2011. Foreign exchange gain (loss) included in other expense, net was a loss of approximately $7 thousand and a gain of approximately $8 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Related Party Transactions

On November 30, 2007, we entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Bedford Lease”) with SPI-Trust, a Trust of which Roger G. Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, is the sole trustee and principal beneficiary, with respect to 144,230 square feet of space comprising the entire building in which we have occupied space since December 1, 1985. The term of the Bedford Lease commenced on December 1, 2007 and was originally set to expire on November 30, 2012. The annual rental rate for the first year of the Bedford Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. The annual rental rate increased on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.

On September 17, 2010, we entered into the First Amendment to Lease Agreement with SPI-Trust to amend the Bedford Lease. The term of the Bedford Lease was extended for an additional five (5) years to expire on November 30, 2017. The annual rental rate for the first year of the extended term (December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013) is $16.00 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. After the first year of the extended term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.50 per square foot. We have the right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease for an additional five (5) year period. If we exercise this right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate for the first year of the further extended term will be the greater of: (a) the rental rate in effect immediately preceding the commencement of the extended term; or (b) the market rate at such time, and on each anniversary of the commencement of the extended term the rental rate will increase by $0.50 per square foot. Additionally, SPI-Trust agreed to reimburse us up to $50 thousand for all costs incurred by us in connection with any alterations or improvements to the premises or repairs or replacements to the heating and air conditioning systems. We believe that the terms of the Bedford Lease, as amended, are commercially reasonable. Rent expense under the Bedford Lease was $2.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

On August 29, 2008, we entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Hudson Lease”) with SPI-Trust, with respect to 90 thousand square feet of space comprising the entire building in which Spire Semiconductor has occupied space since June 1, 2003.  The term of the Hudson Lease commenced on September 1, 2008, and was to continue for seven (7) years until August 31, 2015.  The annual rental rate for the first year of the Hudson Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple-net basis, whereby the tenant was responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building.  The annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.  In addition, we were required to deposit with SPI-Trust $300 thousand as security for performance by us for our covenants and obligations under the Hudson Lease.  SPI-Trust is responsible, at its sole expense, to make certain defined tenant improvements to the building.  We believe that the terms of the Hudson Lease was commercially reasonable and reflective of market rates.  The Hudson Lease was classified as a related party operating lease.  Rent expense from continuing operations under the Hudson Lease was $119 thousand and $626 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Rent expense from discontinued operations under the Hudson Lease was $134 thousand and $702 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In connection with sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit, the lease was terminated on March 9, 2012 and we were released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date. The security deposit of $300 thousand was used to off-set rent payments in the first quarter of 2012. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the significant estimates affecting our consolidated financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, reserves for doubtful accounts, reserve for excess and obsolete inventory, impairment of long-lived assets, share-based compensation and warranty reserves. We regularly evaluate our estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. To the extent actual

26

results differ from those estimates, our future results of operations may be affected. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 2 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for a description of our significant accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

We derive our revenues from continuing operations from three primary sources: (1) commercial products including, but not limited to, solar energy manufacturing equipment, solar energy systems and solar energy materials; (2) biomedical processing services; and (3) United States government funded research and development contracts.

We generally recognize product revenue upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met at the time of shipment when the risk of loss and title passes to the customer.

Our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) capital equipment solar energy business builds complex customized machines to order for specific customers.  Most orders are sold on a FOB Bedford, Massachusetts (or EX-Works Factory) basis and other orders are sold on a Carriage and Insurance Paid (or CIP), or on rare situations, a Delivery Duty Unpaid (or DDU) basis. It is our policy to recognize revenues for this equipment when title of the product has passed to the customer, provided that customer acceptance is obtained prior to shipment and the equipment is expected to operate the same in the customer's environment as it does in our environment.  When an arrangement with the customer includes future obligations or customer acceptance, revenue is recognized when those obligations are met or customer acceptance has been achieved.  Typically, we are able to separate arrangements with multiple elements into more than one unit of accounting as it relates to the passage of title, training and installation services when no right of return exists. We allocate total fees under contract to each element using the relative selling price method and revenue is recognized upon delivery of each element. Our management performs extensive analysis to determine the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. We allocate revenue in arrangements using our best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price exists.  We determine estimated selling price ("ESP") of each deliverable based on a number of factors, including internal costs, gross margin targetsandhistorical sales of similar units, as well as external factors such as market and competitive conditions.

Our solar systems business provides photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid.  It is our policy to recognize revenues for these systems as title passes, the customer accepts the system installation and interconnection to the grid is achieved.

Our solar materials business supplies photovoltaic materials under a United States government contact.  It is our policy to recognize revenues for these materials as title passes and the government accepts the materials.

Our biomedical business provides advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic devices. It is our policy to recognize revenues from these services when services are provided to the customer.

We recognize revenues and estimated profits on long-term government contracts on the accrual basis where the circumstances are such that total profit can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and ultimate realization is reasonably assured. We accrue revenue and profit utilizing the percentage of completion method using a cost-to-cost methodology. A percentage of the contract revenues and estimated profits is determined utilizing the ratio of costs incurred to date to total estimated cost to complete on a contract by contract basis. Profit estimates are revised periodically based upon changes and facts, and any losses on contracts are recognized immediately. Some of the contracts include provisions to withhold a portion of the contract value as retainage until such time as the United States government performs an audit of the cost incurred under the contract.  Our policy is to take into revenue the full value of the contract, including any retainage, as it performs against the contract since we have not experienced any substantial losses as a result of audits performed by the United States government.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to pay amounts due. We actively pursue collection of past due receivables as the circumstances warrant.  Customers are contacted to determine the status of payment and senior accounting and operations management are included in these efforts as is deemed necessary.  A specific reserve will be established for past due accounts when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss.  We do not record an allowance for government receivables and invoices backed by letters of credit as realizability is reasonably assured. Bad debts are written off against the allowance when identified. There is no dollar threshold for account balance write-offs.  While rare, a write-off is only recorded when all efforts to collect the receivable have been exhausted.

27

Inventories and Reserve for Excess and Obsolescence

We perform a detailed assessment of inventory at each balance sheet date, which includes a review of, among other factors, an estimate of future demand for products within specific time horizons, valuation of existing inventory, as well as product lifecycle and product development plans. Inventory reserves are also provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. We may be required to record additional inventory write-downs if actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by our management.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We account for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360-10-5-4, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-5-4 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. We report assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for our share-based compensation plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model as our method for determining the fair value of stock option grants. ASC 718 requires the fair value of all share-based awards that are expected to vest to be recognized in the statements of operations over the service or vesting period of each award. We use the straight-line method of attributing the value of share-based compensation expense for all stock option grants over the requisite service period.

Warranty

We provide warranties on certain products and services. Our warranty programs are described below:

We generally warrant solar manufacturing equipment sold for a total of 360 days, which include the replacement of defective component parts and the labor to correct the defect. On occasion, extended warranties will be given to certain customers of solar manufacturing equipment for up to an additional 360 days.

Spire Biomedical warrants that its services only will meet the agreed upon specifications.

We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties, determined primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized.  Should actual product failure warranties differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not required as we are a smaller reporting company.

28

Item 8.  Financial Statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		30
Consolidated Financial Statements:
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011	31
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	32
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	33
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	34
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	35
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	36

29

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Spire Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Spire Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spire Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company incurred a loss from continuing operations of $4.8 million and continuing operating cash flows used $6.9 million in cash.   The Company's credit agreements are due to expire on June 29, 2013.  These factors raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

McGladrey LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 28, 2013

30

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,030		$	4,758
Restricted cash	—			21
Accounts receivable – trade, net	2,137			3,464
Inventories, net	5,316			7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	185			180
Deposits on equipment for inventory	69			609
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	617			757
Current assets of discontinued operations	718			694
Total current assets	12,072			17,636
Property and equipment, net	1,197			1,354
Intangible and other assets, net	393			490
Available-for-sale investments, at quoted market value (cost of $2,741 and $2,204 at      December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	2,963			2,405
Deposit – related party	—			300
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	—			1,993
Total assets	$	16,625		$	24,178
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of capital lease obligation	$	13		$	37
Revolving line of credit	590			1,157
Accounts payable	1,424			3,405
Accrued liabilities	2,221			3,451
Advances on contracts in progress	1,037			2,232
Liabilities of discontinued operations	171			1,654
Total current liabilities	5,456			11,936
Long-term portion of capital lease obligation	8			21
Deferred compensation	2,963			2,405
Other long-term liabilities	746			891
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			215
Total long-term liabilities	3,717			3,532
Total liabilities	9,173			15,468
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 9,062,633 and 8,562,633 shares        issued and outstanding on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	91			86
Additional paid-in capital	23,084			22,510
Accumulated deficit	(15,945		)	(14,087		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	222			201
Total stockholders’ equity	7,452			8,710
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	16,625		$	24,178

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

31

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Net sales and revenues
Sales of goods	$	12,989		$	50,744
Contract research and service revenues	9,121			7,998
Total net sales and revenues	22,110			58,742
Cost of sales and revenues
Cost of goods sold	11,943			40,171
Cost of contract research and services	4,896			4,581
Total cost of sales and revenues	16,839			44,752
Gross margin	5,271			13,990
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,676			14,466
Internal research and development expenses	233			776
Total operating expenses	11,909			15,242
Gain on termination of contracts	35			409
Operating loss from continuing operations	(6,603		)	(843		)
Interest expense, net	(120		)	(141		)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	(7		)	8
Total other expense, net	(127		)	(133		)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit	(6,730		)	(976		)
Income tax benefit - continuing operations	1,951			890
Loss from continuing operations	(4,779		)	(86		)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	(580		)	(2,769		)
Gain on sale of business unit, net of transaction expenses	5,449			—
Gain on legal settlement, net of transaction expenses	—			2,286
Income tax provision - discontinued operations	(1,948		)	(914		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,921			(1,397		)
Net loss	$	(1,858	)	$	(1,483	)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
From continuing operations, net of tax	(0.56		)	(0.01		)
From discontinued operations, net of tax	0.34			(0.17		)
Basic and diluted loss per share	(0.22		)	(0.18		)
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent     shares outstanding – basic and diluted	8,579,027			8,386,188

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

32

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	$	(1,858	)	$	(1,483	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale marketable securities, net of tax	21			(245		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(1,837	)	$	(1,728	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

33

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share amounts)

	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in		Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit			Income			Total
Balance, December 31, 2010	8,360,133	$	84	$	21,979	$	(12,604	)	$	446		$	9,905
Issuance of common stock	200,000	2		154		—			—			156
Exercise of stock options	2,500	—		8		—			—			8
Share-based compensation (1)	—	—		369		—			—			369
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities	—	—		—		—			(245		)	(245		)
Net loss	—	—		—		(1,483		)	—			(1,483		)
Balance, December 31, 2011	8,562,633	$	86	$	22,510	$	(14,087	)	$	201		$	8,710
Issuance of common stock	500,000	5		379		—			—			384
Share-based compensation (2)	—	—		195		—			—			195
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities	—	—		—		—			21			21
Net loss	—	—		—		(1,858		)	—			(1,858		)
Balance, December 31, 2012	9,062,633	$	91	$	23,084	$	(15,945	)	$	222		$	7,452

⁽¹⁾  Includes $24 thousand, related to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011.

⁽²⁾  Includes $(7) thousand , related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

34

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	For Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$(1,858)			$	(1,483	)
Less: Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,921			(1,397		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(4,779		)	(86		)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	804			1,039
Deferred tax benefit	(1,948		)	(914		)
Deferred compensation	21			(245		)
Share-based compensation	202			345
Provision for accounts receivable reserve	30			23
Provision for inventory reserve	317			686
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	21			—
Accounts receivable	1,297			3,427
Inventories	1,115			2,702
Deferred cost of goods sold	(5		)	838
Deposits, prepaid expenses and other current assets	680			(391		)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(2,972		)	(2,732		)
Deposit – related party	300			—
Advances on contracts in progress	(1,195		)	(6,587		)
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations	(6,112		)	(1,895		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	(1,726		)	793
Net cash used in operating activities	(7,838		)	(1,102		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(143		)	(197		)
Additions to intangible and other assets	(2		)	(84		)
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(145		)	(281		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations	6,859			(82		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,714			(363		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(37		)	(44		)
Principal payments on equipment and revolving line of credit, net	(567		)	—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	—			8
Net cash used in financing activities	(604		)	(36		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,728		)	(1,501		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	4,758			6,259
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	3,030		$	4,758
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	120		$	141
Income taxes refunded, net	$	(5	)	$	(36	)
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow information:
Liabilities settled with common stock	$	384		$	156

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

35

SPIRE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2012 and 2011

1.         Description of the Business

Spire Corporation ("Spire" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and markets highly-engineered products and services in two principal business areas: (i) capital equipment and systems for the photovoltaic solar industry and (ii) biomedical, generally bringing to bear expertise in materials technologies, surface science and thin films across both business areas, discussed below.

In the photovoltaic solar area, the Company develops, manufactures and markets specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells and provide photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets.  The Company's equipment has been installed in approximately 200 factories in 50 countries.  The equipment market is very competitive with major competitors located in the U.S., Japan and Europe.  The Company's flagship product is its Sun Simulator which tests module performance.  The Company's other product offerings include turn-key module lines and to a lesser extent other individual equipment.  To compete the Company offers other services such as training and assistance with module certification.  The Company also provides turn-key services to its customers to backward integrate to solar cell manufacturing. At times, the Company supplies materials such as solar cells to certain customers.

In the biomedical area, the Company provides value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial characteristics or other material characteristics of their products; and perform sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provided semiconductor foundry services, operated a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and was engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets (the “Semiconductor Business Unit”), to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo"). Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its Medical Products Business Unit, which developed and marketed coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (the “Medical Products Business Unit”), to Bard Access Systems, Inc. (“Bard”). Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Operating results will depend upon revenue growth and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from our solar equipment line and delivery of solar systems.  Export sales, which amounted to 53% and 49% of net sales and revenues for 2012 and 2011, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues.

The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations. Operating loss from continuing operations was $6.6 million and $843 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $7.8 million in 2012, which includes $1.7 million of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.1 million in 2011, which includes $793 thousand of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $3.0 million compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2011. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is June 29, 2013. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company currently believes that its existing cash resources at December 31, 2012, will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2013; however, the Company cannot assure you of this.

The Company has various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as it has done in the past; however, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values.  The Company has developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expand revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions.  The Company's inability to successfully implement its cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew the Company's credit facilities, could adversely impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

36

Based on the forecasts and estimates underlying the Company's current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

2.         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues from continuing operations from three primary sources: (1) commercial products including, but not limited to, solar energy manufacturing equipment, solar energy systems and solar energy materials; (2) biomedical processing services; and (3) United States government funded research and development contracts.

The Company generally recognizes product revenue upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met at the time of shipment when the risk of loss and title passes to the customer.

The Company's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) capital equipment solar energy business builds complex customized machines to order for specific customers.  Most orders are sold on a FOB Bedford, Massachusetts (or EX-Works Factory) basis and other orders are sold on a Carriage and Insurance Paid (or CIP), or on rare situations, a Delivery Duty Unpaid (or DDU) basis. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for this equipment when title of the product has passed to the customer, provided that customer acceptance is obtained prior to shipment and the equipment is expected to operate the same in the customer's environment as it does in the Company's environment.  When an arrangement with the customer includes future obligations or customer acceptance, revenue is recognized when those obligations are met or customer acceptance has been achieved.  Typically, the Company is able to separate arrangements with multiple elements into more than one unit of accounting as it relates to the passage of title, training and installation services when no right of return exists. The Company allocates total fees under contract to each element using the relative selling price method and revenue is recognized upon delivery of each element. The Company'smanagement performs extensive analysis to determine the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. The Company allocates revenue in arrangements using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price exists.  The Company determines estimated selling price ("ESP") of each deliverable based on a number of factors, including internal costs, gross margin targetsandhistorical sales of similar units, as well as external factors such as market and competitive conditions.

The Company's solar systems business provides photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these systems when title passes, the customer accepts the system installation and interconnection to the grid is achieved.

The Company's solar materials business supplies photovoltaic materials under a United States government contact.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these materials as title passes and the government accepts the materials.

The Company's biomedical business provides advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic devices. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues from these services when services are provided to the customer.

The Company recognizes revenues and estimated profits on long-term government contracts on a percent complete basis where the circumstances are such that total profit can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and ultimate realization is reasonably assured. The Company records revenue and profit utilizing the percentage of completion method using a cost-to-cost methodology. A percentage of the contract revenues and estimated profits is determined utilizing the ratio of costs incurred to date to total estimated cost to complete on a contract by contract basis. Profit estimates are revised periodically based upon changes in facts, and any losses on contracts are recognized immediately. Some of the contracts include provisions to withhold a portion of the contract value as retainage until such time as the United States government performs an audit of the cost incurred under the contract.  The Company's policy is to take into revenue the full value of the contract, including any retainage, as it performs against the contract since the Company has not experienced any substantial losses as a result of audits performed by the United States government.

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(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.  Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, and at times may exceed federally insured limits.

(d) Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had restricted cash in the amount of $21 thousand to secure the Company's obligations under a purchase and sale agreement.

(e) Available-for-Sale Investments

Available-for-sale investments consist of assets held as part of the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. These investments have been classified as available-for-sale investments and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The unrealized gain on these marketable securities was $222 thousand and $201 thousand as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(f) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis.  Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers.  Historical inventory usage, forecasted demand and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventory. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

(g) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, as follows:

Equipment under capital lease	Lesser of 5 years or remaining life of lease
Machinery and equipment	5 and 7 years
Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment	3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of 10 years or remaining life of lease

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are added to property and equipment accounts at cost.

(h) Intangible and Other Assets

Patents amounted to $111 thousand and $137 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $822 thousand and $767 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Licenses amounted to $60 thousand and $65 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $15 thousand and $10 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Patent cost is primarily composed of cost associated with securing and registering patents that the Company has been awarded or that have been submitted to, and the Company believes will be approved by the government. License cost is composed of the cost to acquire rights to the underlying technology or know-how. These costs are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives or terms, ordinarily five years, using the straight-line method. There are no expected residual values related to these patents. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $99 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 which includes $38 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $228 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011 which includes $160 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year.

The table below includes future amortization expense for patents and licenses owned by the Company as well as estimated amortization expense related to patents that remain pending at December 31, 2012 of $68 thousand. This estimated expense for patents pending assumes that the patents are issued immediately, and therefore are being amortized over five years on a straight-line basis. Estimated amortization expense for the period ending December 31, is as follows:

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(in thousands)	Amortization Expense
2013	$	68
2014	60
2015	36
2016	22
2017	19
2018 and future	34
	$	239

Also included in other assets are refundable deposits made by the Company of approximately $154 thousand and $163 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(i) Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification 360-10-5-4, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-5-4 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company measures recoverability of assets and /or asset groups to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset and/or asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset and/or asset groups. If such assets and/or asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets and/or asset groups exceed the fair value of the assets. The Company reports assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company evaluated long-lived assets for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and determined that the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows of the assets and/or asset groups exceeded the carrying amount of the assets for both years.

(j) Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, the Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  The Company evaluates this tax position on a quarterly basis using a two-step process.  The first step is a determination of whether the tax position should be recognized in the financial statements and the second step is the measurement of the tax position.  The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense, related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company’s evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the tax years which remain subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdictions.

(k) Warranty

The Company provides warranties on certain of its products and services. The Company’s warranty programs are described below:

Spire Solar generally warrants solar manufacturing equipment sold for a total of 360 days, which include the replacement of defective component parts and the labor to correct the defect. On occasion, extended warranties will be given to certain customers of solar manufacturing equipment for up to an additional 360 days.

Spire Biomedical warrants that its services will meet the agreed upon specifications.

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties, determined primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized.  Should actual product failure warranties differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions

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to the estimated warranty liability would be required.  Product warranty liabilities are included in accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  The changes in the product warranties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	894
Provision charged to income	507
Usage	(588		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	813
Reduction to reserve	(63		)
Usage	(278		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	472

(l) Internal Research and Development Costs     

Internal research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Company funded research and development costs were approximately $233 thousand and $776 thousand, respectively.

(m) Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share gives effect to all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. The Company did not pay any dividends in 2012 and 2011.

(n) Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Besides the reported net loss, other comprehensive loss includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of an unrealized gain of available-for-sale investments of approximately $21 thousand and an unrealized loss of available-for-sale investments of approximately $245 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(o) Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of stock option grants. ASC 718 requires the fair value of all share-based awards that are expected to vest to be recognized in the statements of operations over the service or vesting period of each award. The Company uses the straight-line method of attributing the value of share-based compensation expense for all stock option grants over the requisite service period.

(p) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  The significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, reserves for doubtful accounts, the assessment of excess and obsolete inventory, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes and warranty reserves.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(q) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments of the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revolving line of credit and capital leases. The Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2012 also include available-for-sale investments measured at fair value. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

(r) Shipping and Handling Costs

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Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold.

(s) Foreign Currency

The Company sells almost exclusively in U.S. dollars, generally against an irrevocable confirmed letter of credit through a major United States bank. Accordingly, the Company is not directly affected by foreign exchange fluctuations on its current sales orders. However, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have an effect on the Company’s customers’ access to U.S. dollars and on the pricing competition on certain pieces of equipment that the Company sells in selected markets.  The Company bears the risk of any currency fluctuations that may be associated with these commitments.  The Company attempts to hedge known transactions when possible to minimize foreign exchange risk.  The Company had no hedging activity in 2012 and 2011. Foreign exchange gain (loss) included in other expense, net was a loss of approximately $7 thousand and a gain of approximately $8 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(t) Segment Information

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, requires public entities to report certain information about operating segments. Based on the guidance provided in ASC 280, the Company has determined that its business is conducted in three reportable segments: solar, biomedical and corporate.

(u) Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 855, Subsequent Events. Through the date of this filing, the Company did not have any material subsequent events that impacted its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

(v) New Accounting Standards

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The update requires companies to disclose information about financial instruments that have been offset and related arrangements to enable users of their financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial position. Companies will be required to provide both net (offset amounts) and gross information in the notes to the financial statements for relevant assets and liabilities that are offset. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, entities must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012, which only changed the manner of comprehensive income presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 ("ASU 2011-12"), Comprehensive Income: Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. As part of this update, the FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, an amendment to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The update revises the application of the

41

valuation premise of highest and best use of an asset, the application of premiums and discounts for fair value determination, as well as the required disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measures and the highest and best use of nonfinancial assets. The update provides additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements and clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and the application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

3.         Accounts Receivable/Advances on Contracts in Progress

Net accounts receivable, trade consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Amounts billed	$	1,927		$	3,327
Accrued revenue	238			177
	2,165			3,504
Less:  Allowance for doubtful accounts	(28		)	(40		)
Net accounts receivable - trade	$	2,137		$	3,464
Advances on contracts in progress	$	1,037		$	2,232

Accrued revenue represents revenues recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented to customers as of the balance sheet date. These amounts are billed and generally collected within one year.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to pay amounts due. The Company actively pursues collection of past due receivables as the circumstances warrant. Customers are contacted to determine the status of payment and senior accounting and operations management are included in these efforts as is deemed necessary. A specific reserve will be established for past due accounts when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company does not record an allowance for government receivables and invoices backed by letters of credit as realizeability is reasonably assured. Bad debts are written off against the allowance when identified. There is no dollar threshold for account balance write-offs. While rare, a write-off is only recorded when all efforts to collect the receivable have been exhausted. The Company received payments of $10 thousand and $64 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, against amounts which had been previously reserved for in allowance for doubtful accounts.

Advances on contracts in progress represent billings that have been presented to the customer, as either deposits or progress payments against future shipments, but revenue has not been recognized.

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4.         Inventories and Deferred Cost of Goods Sold

Inventories, net of $860 thousand and $860 thousand of reserves at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and deferred cost of goods sold consist of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	1,784	$	2,284
Work in process	2,103		3,871
Finished goods	1,429		998
Net inventory	$	5,316	$	7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	$	185	$	180

The Company wrote-off $317 thousand and $184 thousand of excess and obsolete inventory for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Deferred cost of goods sold represents costs of equipment that has shipped to the customer and title has passed but not all revenue recognition criteria have yet been met.  The Company defers these costs until the related revenue is recognized.

5.         Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Machinery and equipment	$	11,657		11,328
Furniture fixtures and computer equipment	4,741			4,736
Leasehold improvements	3,854			3,775
Construction in progress	119			105
	20,371			19,944
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(19,174		)	(18,590		)
	$	1,197		$	1,354

Depreciation expense from continuing operations relating to property and equipment was approximately $705 thousand and $811 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

6.         Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities include the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accrued employee related	$	607	$	1,039
Accrued professional fees	401		552
Accrued warranty and product	583		936
Accrued other	630		924
	$	2,221	$	3,451

7.         Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements

The Company has two separate credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank” or “SVB”): (i) a Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement and (ii) an Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement pursuant to which outstanding amounts under this facility are guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the “EXIM Bank”).

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On December 20, 2012, the Company and the Bank entered into (i) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Ex-Im Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Loan Modification Agreements, the Company and the Bank agreed to (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from December 29, 2012 to June 29, 2013 and (ii) decrease the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from $6 million to $1.5 million, with up to $1 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility and up to $1.5 million available under the Ex-Im Facility. In addition, the guidance line has been extended to support letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $1.5 million through June 29, 2013. If the Company achieves certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, the Company will not be required to cash collateralize letters of credit issued under this guidance line.

The Company's obligations under these two credit facilities, as well as the guidance line, are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are limited to 80% of eligible receivables. Advances under the Ex-Im Facility are limited to (i) 90% of eligible receivables subject to a suitable foreign currency hedge agreement if applicable, plus (ii) 75% of all other eligible receivables billed in foreign currency, plus (iii) 50% of the value of eligible inventory, as defined. Under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility, as long as any commitment remains outstanding under the facilities, the Company must comply with a financial covenant by maintaining a minimum cash balance of $1.0 million. In addition, until all amounts under the credit facilities with the Bank are repaid, covenants under the credit facilities impose restrictions on the Company's ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create or permit liens on the Company's assets, merge, consolidate or dispose of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), make dividend and other restricted payments, make certain debt or equity investments, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates or change the business conducted by the Company. Any failure by the Company to comply with the covenants and obligations under the credit facilities could result in an event of default, in which case the Bank may be entitled to declare all amounts owed to be due and payable immediately.

Under the credit facilities, interest on outstanding borrowings accrues at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the prime rate plus 2.5% or (ii) 7.0%. In addition, if the Company achieves certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, the Company will have a 0.5% lower interest rate.

Advances outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $449 thousand and zero at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Advances outstanding under the Ex-Im Facility were $141 thousand and $1.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012, the interest rate per annum on the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility was 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. The Company has utilized $675 thousand and $1.4 million of the guidance line at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Combined availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility was $549 thousand as of December 31, 2012.

8.         Fair Value Measurements

The hierarchy established under ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measures and Disclosures ("ASC 820-10") gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). As required by ASC 820-10, the Company's available-for-sale investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820-10, and its applicability to the Company's available-for-sale investments, are described below:

Level 1 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. As required by ASC 820-10, the Company does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 includes investments valued at quoted prices adjusted for legal or contractual restrictions specific to these investments.

Level 3 - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment, that is, inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 includes investments that are supported by little or no market activity.    

Valuation Techniques

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Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who would buy the asset or assume the liability rather than the Company's own specific measure. All of the Company's fixed income securities are priced using a variety of daily data sources, largely readily-available market data and broker quotes. To validate these prices, the Company compares the fair market values of the Company's fixed income investments using market data from observable and corroborated sources. The Company also performs the fair value calculations for its common stock and mutual fund securities using market data from observable and corroborated sources. In periods of market inactivity, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for certain instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3. During twelve months ended December 31, 2012, none of the Company's instruments were reclassified between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 and there have been no changes in valuation techniques.

The following table presents the financial instruments related to the Company's available-for-sale investments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 by ASC 820-10 valuation hierarchy (as defined above).

(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2012			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	32		$	32		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	15			15			—			—
Consumer Goods	58			58			—			—
Energy	29			29			—			—
Financial	61			61			—			—
Healthcare	52			52			—			—
Industrial Goods	51			51			—			—
Services	32			32			—			—
Technology	376			376			—			—
Transportation	8			8			—			—
Utilities	26			26			—			—
Total Common Stock	708			708			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	187			—			187			—
Precious Metals Fund	49			—			49			—
Foreign Large Blend	244			—			244			—
Foreign Large Growth	250			—			250			—
Large Growth	220			—			220			—
Small Blend	525			525			—			—
Global High Yield Income Fund	52			—			52			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,527			525			1,002			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	678			—			678			—
International	18			—			18			—
Total Fixed Income	696			—			696			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,963		$	1,265		$	1,698		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	43		%	57		%	—		%

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(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2011			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	65		$	65		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	72			72			—			—
Consumer Goods	18			18			—			—
Financial	48			48			—			—
Healthcare	53			53			—			—
Industrial Goods	22			22			—			—
Services	78			78			—			—
Technology	151			151			—			—
Total Common Stock	442			442			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	155			—			155			—
Foreign Large Blend	123			—			123			—
Foreign Large Growth	171			—			171			—
Foreign Small/Mid Value	136			—			136			—
Value Fund	69			—			69			—
Large Growth	490			—			490			—
Small Blend Total	192			192			—			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,336			192			1,144			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	535			—			535			—
International	27			—			27			—
Total Fixed Income	562			—			562			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,405		$	699		$	1,706		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	29		%	71		%	—		%

⁽¹⁾  Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The carrying amounts reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and capital lease obligations approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company's revolving line of credit has been estimated by management based on the terms that it believes it could obtain in the current market for debt of the same terms and similar remaining maturities. Due to the short-term mature of the remaining maturities, frequency of amendments to its terms and the variable interest rates, the carrying value of the revolving line of credit approximates fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

9. Share–Based Compensation

The Company has recognized share-based compensation expense from continuing operations of $202 thousand and $345 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total non-cash, share-based compensation expense from continuing operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended is included in the following expense categories:

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	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Cost of contract research, services	$	20	$	19
Cost of goods sold	32		74
Administrative and selling	150		252
Total share-based compensation	$	202	$	345

Share-based compensation expense from discontinued operations was $(7) thousand and $24 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was capitalized during 2012 and 2011. Compensation expense related to stock options to be charged in future periods amounts to approximately $113 thousand at December 31, 2012 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.27 years as follows:

For the years ended December 31,	Expected Compensation Expense
	(in thousands)
2013	$	85
2014	28
	$	113

The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately expected to vest.  Forfeitures represent only the unvested portion of a surrendered option and are typically estimated based on historical experience.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding options under two stock option plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”) and the 2007 Stock Equity Plan (the “2007 Plan”, together the "Plans"). Both Plans were approved by stockholders and provided that the Board of Directors may grant options to purchase the Company’s common stock to key employees and directors of the Company. Incentive and non-qualified options must be granted at least at the fair market value of the common stock or, in the case of certain optionees, at 110% of such fair market value at the time of grant. The options may be exercised, subject to certain vesting requirements, for periods up to ten years from the date of issue. The 1996 Plan expired with respect to the issuance of new grants as of December 10, 2006.  Accordingly, future grants may be made only under the 2007 Plan.

A summary of options outstanding under the Plans as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012 is as follows: 

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						(in thousands)
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011	793,107		$	6.40
Granted	40,000		$	0.75
Exercised	—		$	—
Cancelled/expired	(188,661	)	$	7.11
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	644,446		$	6.21	5.82	$	—
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012	575,696		$	6.35	5.66	$	—
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012	640,234		$	6.36	5.65	$	—
Options available for future grant at December 31, 2012	554,300

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $0.50 as of December 31, 2012, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately zero and $3 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options expected to vest at December 31, 2012 was

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approximately zero, and the weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options that are expected to vest is 5.56 years.

At December 31, 2012, the Company has outstanding under its 1996 Plan and 2007 Plan, an aggregate 243,746 non-qualified stock options held by the non-employee directors of the Company for the purchase of common stock at an average exercise price of $6.65 per share.

The per-share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $1.78 and $2.62 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Year	Expected Dividend Yield	Risk-Free Interest Rate		Expected Option Life	Expected Volatility Factor
2012	—	0.71	%	5.10 years	93.3	%
2011	—	1.76	%	5.09 years	78.0	%

The risk free interest rate reflects treasury yields rates over a term that approximates the expected option life. The expected option life is calculated based on historical lives of all options issued under the plan.  The expected volatility factor is determined by measuring the actual stock price volatility over a term equal to the expected useful life of the options granted.

10.         Income Taxes

The Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $3 thousand and a net provision of $24 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company recorded a tax benefit on the loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million and $890 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which was offset by a provision on the income from discontinued operations of $1.9 million and $914 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The discontinued operations is associated with the sale of the Company's Semiconductor Business Unit and Medical Products Business Unit. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

The reconciliation between the amount computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rate of 34% to pretax income (loss) and the actual benefit (provision) for income taxes follows:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Income tax benefit – continuing operations at statutory rate	$	2,289		$	1,258
Increase in valuation allowance related to income tax expense	(461		)	(600		)
State income tax benefit	211			363
Permanent differences	(88		)	(131		)
Income tax benefit – continuing operations	1,951			890
Income tax provision – discontinued operations at statutory rate	(1,656		)	(777		)
State income taxes – discontinued operations	(292		)	(137		)
Income tax provision – discontinued operations	(1,948		)	(914		)
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	3		$	(24	)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

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(in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals	$	1,992		$	2,028
Inventories	365			377
Net operating loss carryforwards	4,705			4,822
General business credit carryforwards	403			404
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	268			268
Foreign tax credit	38			38
Total gross deferred tax assets	7,771			7,937
Prepaid expenses	(251		)	(294		)
Depreciation	130			(440		)
Amortization	(79		)	(131		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(200		)	(865		)
Valuation allowance	(7,571		)	(7,072		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

The net change in the total valuation allowance for the period ended December 31, 2012 was an increase of $499 thousand.Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards were approximately $13.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012. The federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various times starting in 2026 through 2032, if not utilized.  The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various times starting in 2013 through 2032, if not utilized. Included in the Federal net operating loss carryforwards were approximately $3.5 million attributable to equity based compensation transactions. Approximately $1.0 million of the valuation allowance will be relieved through equity if these deductions for equity based transactions are realized.  Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in the Company’s ownership may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized in any one year to offset future taxable income. 

The tax years of 2009 through 2012 remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. In addition, because the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for the years ended December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service and the state taxing authorities are permitted to audit those earlier years and propose adjustments up to the amount of net operating loss generated. The Company is currently not under examination by the Internal Revenue Service or any other jurisdiction for any tax years. At December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any uncertain tax positions, unrecognized tax benefits and did not recognize any interest or penalties.  The Company does not expect there to be a change in unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

11.      Commitments

Letters of Credit

Outstanding letters of credit totaled $675 thousand and $1.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The letters of credit secure performance obligations and purchase commitments, and allow holders to draw funds up to the face amount of the letter of credit if the Company does not perform as contractually required. The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2012 were secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility. The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2011 were secured by $21 thousand of restricted cash and the remainder was secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility.

Purchase Obligations

Included in purchase obligations are raw materials, equipment and services needed to fulfill customer orders. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help assure an adequate supply, the Company enters into agreements with suppliers that either allow the Company to procure goods and services when it chooses or that establish purchase requirements. In certain instances, the agreements with purchase requirements allow the Company the option to cancel, reschedule, or adjust its requirements based on the Company's business needs prior to firm orders being placed. Consequently, only a portion of the Company's purchase obligations are firm, non-cancelable and unconditional. At December 31, 2012, the Company's obligations under firm, non-cancelable, and unconditional agreements were $367 thousand, of which, $363 thousand of the Company's purchase obligations are due in 2013.

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Property Under Capital Leases and Lease Commitments

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had operating and capital leases for office space and office equipment. At December 31, 2012, future minimum lease payments for the period ended are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrelated Party Operating Leases		Related Party Operating Leases		Unrelated Party Capital Leases
2013	$	136	$	2,313	$	15
2014	48		2,386		8
2015	—		2,458		—
2016	—		2,530		—
2017	—		2,380		—
Total minimum lease payments	$	184	$	12,067	23
Less: amounts represented by interest					(2		)
Present value of monthly lease payments					21
Less: current portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					(13		)
Long-term portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					$	8

Unrelated Party Capital Lease

In August 2009 the Company entered into a lease for information technology storage equipment whereby the Company agreed to pay $73 thousand over a five year term expiring in July 2014.  The lease agreement did not provide for a transfer of ownership at any point.  Interest costs were assumed at 11%.  Interest expense was approximately $3 thousand and $4 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This lease was classified as a unrelated party capital lease.

In September 2009 the Company entered into a lease for information technology storage equipment whereby the Company agreed to pay $120 thousand over a three year term expiring in August 2012.  The lease agreement did not provide for a transfer of ownership at any point.  Interest costs were assumed at 13%.  Interest expense was approximately $1 thousand and $6 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This lease was classified as a unrelated party capital lease.

The asset value of the equipment under capital lease is zero and $58 thousand and is recorded in property and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Unrelated Party Operating Leases

Unrelated party operating leases expire at various times thru 2014 and primarily consist of leases for automobiles, servers, copiers and the telephone system.

Related Party Operating Lease

On November 30, 2007, the Company entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Bedford Lease”) with SPI-Trust, a Trust of which Roger G. Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, is the sole trustee and principal beneficiary, with respect to 144 thousand square feet of space comprising the entire building in which the Company has occupied space since December 1, 1985. The term of the Bedford Lease commenced on December 1, 2007 and was originally set to expire on November 30, 2012. The annual rental rate for the first year of the Bedford Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. The annual rental rate increased on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.

On September 17, 2010, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Lease Agreement with SPI-Trust to amend the Bedford Lease. The term of the Bedford Lease was extended for an additional 5 years to expire on November 30, 2017. The annual rental rate for the first year of the extended term (December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013) is $16.00 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. After the first year of the extended term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.50 per square foot. The

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Company has the right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease for an additional 5 years. If the Company exercises this right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate for the first year of the further extended term will be the greater of: (a) the rental rate in effect immediately preceding the commencement of the extended term; or (b) the market rate at such time, and on each anniversary of the commencement of the extended term the rental rate will increase by $0.50 per square foot. Additionally, SPI-Trust agreed to reimburse the Company up to $50 thousand for all costs incurred by the Company in connection with any alterations or improvements to the premises or repairs or replacements to the heating and air conditioning systems. The Company believes that the terms of the Bedford Lease, as amended, are commercially reasonable. Rent expense from continuing operations under the Bedford Lease was $2.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

On August 29, 2008, the Company entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Hudson Lease”) with SPI-Trust, with respect to 90 thousand square feet of space comprising the entire building in which Spire Semiconductor has occupied space since June 1, 2003.  The term of the Hudson Lease commenced on September 1, 2008, and was to continue for 7 years until August 31, 2015.  The annual rental rate for the first year of the Hudson Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple-net basis, whereby the tenant was responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building.  The annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.  In addition, the Company was required to deposit with SPI-Trust $300 thousand as security for performance by the Company for its covenants and obligations under the Hudson Lease.  SPI-Trust is responsible, at its sole expense, to make certain defined tenant improvements to the building.  The Company believes that the terms of the Hudson Lease were commercially reasonable and reflective of market rates.  The Hudson Lease was classified as a related party operating lease.  Rent expense from continuing operations under the Hudson Lease was $119 thousand and $626 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Rent expense from discontinued operations under the Hudson Lease was $134 thousand and $702 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In connection with sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit, the lease was terminated on March 9, 2012 and the Company was released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date. The security deposit of $300 thousand was used to off-set rent payments in the first quarter of 2012. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

12.      Employee Benefit Plans

Profit Sharing Plan

In 1985, the Company adopted a profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows employees to defer up to 17.5% of their income up to certain dollar limits on a pretax basis through contributions to the plan.  The Company began discretionary matching contributions starting September 2008.  The Company’s matching contributions were approximately $155 thousand and $151 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Roger Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (the “Participant”).  Under this Plan, the Company makes equal monthly contributions to the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Trust (the “Trust”) up to the annually required amount of $250 thousand. The Company records these contributions as selling, general and administrative expense when made. The Trustee makes all investment decisions for the Trust on behalf of the Participant. The Company has not guaranteed a return on investment for the Participant, however, all earnings and losses on the Plan assets are borne by the Participant. All contributions and earnings are fully vested to the Participant when made but are subject to the Company’s creditors in the event of bankruptcy.  As a result, the assets held in the Plan have been recorded as available-for-sale investments in the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding liability being recorded as deferred compensation. Unrealized gains and losses on the available-for-sale investments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. A corresponding entry to deferred compensation is made to increase (decrease) the amounts due the Participant resulting from the changes in the asset value with an offsetting charge or credit to selling, general and administrative expense.  

On November 17, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Plan for the Participant to permit the Participant to elect, subject to Compensation Committee approval, to receive all or any part of the deferred portion of the Participant's compensation under the Plan in shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of cash. The number of shares to be issued in lieu of such deferred compensation shall be equal to the dollar amount that would otherwise be credited to the Plan divided by the closing sale price per share of common stock on the date on which the Compensation Committee approves the Participant's election. The shares shall be issued under, and be subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of, the Company's 2007 Stock Equity Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The Plan permits one election to be made with respect to accumulated deferred compensation for 2010 and 2011 and, commencing in 2012, elections shall be made on a quarterly basis.

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All such elections shall be subject to and be contingent upon approval of the Compensation Committee. On November 17, 2011, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $500 thousand for 2010 and 2011 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.78), is equal to approximately 641,025 shares. On June 21, 2012, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $63 thousand for the third quarter of 2012 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.69), is equal to approximately 90,580 shares. On August 16, 2012, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $63 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2012 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.55), is equal to approximately 113,636 shares. Because of limitations on awards under the 2007 Plan, the Trust was issued 200,000 of such shares, valued at approximately $156 thousand and issued 500,000 of such shares, valued at approximately $384 thousand, in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The remaining aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $84 thousand will be settled through the issuance of additional shares in 2013 and is recorded in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Compensation expense from continuing operations was approximately $250 thousand and $250 thousand in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Accrued compensation expense related to the Plan was $209 thousand and $344 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

13.      Loss Per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of the denominators of the Company’s reported basic and diluted loss per share computations for the years ended December 31:

	2012	2011
Weighted average number of common and common   equivalent shares outstanding – basic	8,579,027	8,386,188
Add:  Net additional common shares upon assumed     exercise of common stock options	—	—
Weighted average number of common and common     equivalent shares outstanding – diluted	8,579,027	8,386,188

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 1,490 and 1,950 shares of common stock, respectively, issuable relative to stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, due to the Company's net loss position.

In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 624,446 and 773,107 shares of common stock, respectively, issuable relative to stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, due to the Company's net loss position and their exercise prices exceeding the average market price of the stock for the period.

14.      Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations.

On February 4, 2011, Silicon International Ltd. ("SI") filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts, and on February 11, 2011 served a summons, against the Company alleging breach of contract related to SI's activities acting as a former sales and service representative of the Company within China. The complaint makes claims regarding amounts allegedly owed to SI by the Company, specifically with regard to allegedly owed commissions. SI is seeking payment of commissions allegedly owed to it. The Company filed its answer and counterclaims against SI on February 24, 2011, denying SI's allegations, and claiming that SI interfered in the Company's business relationships and generally engaged in multiple breaches of contract against the Company. In January 2013, both parties filed formal opposition to the opposing parties' motion to dismiss various claims and allegations. The ultimate outcome of this legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including the Company's assessment of the merits of the particular claim. It is not possible at this time to provide meaningful estimates as to amount or range of potential loss, but the Company does not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse affect on the Company's future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The Company is not aware of any other current or pending legal proceedings to which it is or may be a party that it believes could materially adversely affect its results of operations or financial condition or cash flows.

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15.      Operating Segments and Related Information

The Company's operations are focused on two primary business areas:  Spire Solar (comprised of solar equipment, solar systems, solar materials and solar research) and Spire Biomedical (comprised of biomedical surface treatments and biophotonics research).  Spire Solar and Spire Biomedical operate out of the Company's facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. Each business area is independently managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and the chief executive officers of each operating division.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our semiconductor business and on March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo Corporation. The Company reported the Semiconductor Business Unit as discontinued operations beginning with our financial results presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The Semiconductor Business Unit was previously reported as our optoelectronics segment. The Company's results of operations for all periods prior to fiscal 2012 presented in our consolidated financial statements have been restated to account for the Semiconductor Business Unit (optoelectronics segment) as discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our medical products business and, on December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale the Medical Products Business Unit to Bard Access Systems, Inc. The Company reported the Medical Products Business Unit as discontinued operations beginning with our financial results presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The Medical Products Business Unit was previously part of our biomedical segment. Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents certain operating division information in accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

(in thousands)	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2012
Net sales and revenues	$	15,255		$	6,855	$	—	$	22,110
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,280		)	677		—		(6,603		)
Total assets	7,757			1,499		6,651		15,907
Capital expenditures	83			8		52		143
Depreciation and amortization	369			208		227		804
Share-based compensation	61			43		98		202
	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2011
Net sales and revenues	$	50,957		$	7,785	$	—	$	58,742
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,346		)	1,503		—		(843		)
Total assets	11,229			1,787		8,475		21,491
Capital expenditures	90			—		107		197
Depreciation and amortization	355			356		328		1,039
Share-based compensation	129			45		171		345

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations is net sales less cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and gain on termination of contracts, but is not affected by non-operating income (expense), by income taxes or by net income (loss) from discontinued operations. In calculating operating income (loss) from continuing operations for individual business units, substantial administrative expenses incurred at the operating level that are common to more than one segment are allocated on a net sales basis. Certain corporate expenses of an operational nature are also allocated to the divisions based on factors including occupancy, employment, and purchasing volume. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

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The following table shows net sales and revenues by geographic area (based on customer location) for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%
United States	$	10,436	47	%	$	29,827	51	%
Asia	7,971		36	%	21,666		37	%
Europe / Africa	3,628		17	%	5,258		9	%
Rest of the world	75		—	%	1,991		3	%
	$	22,110	100	%	$	58,742	100	%

Revenues from contracts with United States government agencies for 2012 and 2011 were approximately $1.8 million and $8.6 million, or 8% and 15% of consolidated net sales and revenues, respectively.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to First Solar, Inc. and revenues from the delivery of biomedical services to Stryker Orthopedics accounted for 12% and 14%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2012.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. and First Solar, Inc. accounted for 16% and 11%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of a solar photovoltaic system to PPS Berkshire Solar LLC accounted for 13% of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and recurring revenues from the sale of solar cell materials to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. accounted for 1% and 12%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011.

One customer represented approximately 24% of net accounts receivable, trade at December 31, 2012 and three customers represented approximately 19%, 12% and 10% of net accounts receivable, trade at December 31, 2011.

Republic of India was the only foreign country that accounted for more than 10% of sales in 2012 and Republic of Singapore was the only foreign country that accounted for more than 10% of sales in 2011. Net sales to customers in Republic of India accounted for $2.8 million in 2012 and net sales to customers in Republic of Singapore accounted for $8.2 million in 2011.

16.      Gain on Termination of Contracts

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that a purchase and sale agreement with Genus Innovation Ltd. (“Genus”) related to a module manufacturing line was terminated due to a breach of contract by Genus. Genus had failed to take delivery of equipment and make payments as required by the agreement. In the third quarter of 2011, the Company formally notified Genus that they were in breach of the agreement and provided Genus until October 30, 2011 to cure the breach. Genus failed to cure the breach as required by the agreement and the Company sent Genus formal notification on October 31, 2011 that the agreement was terminated. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $409 thousand which relates to Genus' non-refundable deposit.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company determined that a purchase and sale agreement, as amended, with Evergreen Solar Systems India (P) Ltd. ("Evergreen") related to a module manufacturing line expansion was terminated due to a breach of contract by Evergreen. Evergreen had failed to make payments as required by the agreement and has not responded to numerous communications by the Company. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $35 thousand which relates to Evergreen's non-refundable deposit.

• 17.      Discontinued Operations

The accompanying audited condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and cash flows present the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as discontinued operations.

Sale of Medical Products Business Unit

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of the Medical Products Business Unit. The Company (i) determined that the Medical Products Business Unit was a separate component of the Company's business as, historically, management reviewed separately the Medical Products Business Unit's financial results apart from the Company's ongoing continuing operations, (ii) eliminated the Medical Products Business Unit's financial results from ongoing

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operations and (iii) determined that the Company will have no further continuing involvement in the operations of the Medical Products Business Unit or cash flows from the Medical Products Business Unit after the sale.

On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of the Medical Products Business Unit to Bard. The purchase price for the Medical Products Business Unit was $12.4 million, including (i) $9.4 million that was paid in cash to the Company at closing, (ii) $100 thousand that was paid in cash at closing to two of the Company's employees, including Mark Little, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Biomedical, as consideration for their execution of non‑competition agreements, and (iii) $2.9 million that was paid in cash to the Company in the second quarter of 2010 based on the achievement of certain milestones.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company received a cash payment of $2.5 million in settlement of a breach of contract dispute with a contract manufacturer and recorded a net gain on legal settlement of $2.3 million in the same quarter. This amount has been recorded as a component of net income from discontinued operations.

The company recorded a loss from discontinued operations before the sale of the Medical Product Business Unit of $150 thousand and zero for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Sale of Semiconductor Business Unit

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of the Company's Semiconductor Business Unit. The Company (i) determined that the Semiconductor Business Unit was a separate component of the Company's business as, historically, management reviewed separately the Semiconductor Business Unit's financial results apart from the Company's ongoing continuing operations, (ii) eliminated the Semiconductor Business Unit's financial results from ongoing operations and (iii) determined that the Company will have no further continuing involvement in the operations of the Semiconductor Business Unit or cash flows from the Semiconductor Business Unit after the sale.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo. The asset purchase agreement provided that the aggregate purchase price for the Semiconductor Business Unit was $8.0 million plus the assumption of $500 thousand in liabilities, with the cash portion of the purchase price being reduced by retained cash, accounts receivable and liabilities assumed by Masimo in excess of the agreed upon assumed liabilities. As a result, in the first quarter of 2012 the Company received approximately $7.3 million in cash (less the escrow described below) and incurred legal and transaction related fees of $425 thousand and Masimo assumed approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. Of the purchase price, approximately $718 thousand was deposited into an indemnity escrow account for fifteen months (or until June, 2013) to partially secure the Company's obligations for any indemnity claims under the asset purchase agreement. In connection with this transaction, the lease for the premises in Hudson, New Hampshire where the Semiconductor Business Unit was located, was terminated on March 9, 2012, and the Company was released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date.

The company recorded a loss from discontinued operations before the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit of $430 thousand and $2.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Summarized Financial Information of the Discontinued Operations

The assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and the liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2012 and the assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

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(in thousands)	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Assets
Current Assets
Restricted cash	$	718	$	—
Accounts receivable - trade, net	—		307
Inventories, net	—		337
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		50
Total current assets of discontinued operations	718		694
Net property and equipment	—		1,927
Intangibles & other assets, net	—		66
Total Assets of discontinued operations	$	718	$	2,687
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
Accounts payable	$	—	$	1,206
Accrued liabilities	171		253
Current portion of advances on contracts in progress	—		195
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	171		1,654
Other long-term liabilities	—		215
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	171	$	1,869

Condensed results of operations relating to the Medical Products Business Unit and the Semiconductor Business Unit for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012			2011
Net sales and revenues	$	425		$	2,816
Gross margin	$	(296	)	$	(1,502	)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	$	(580	)	$	(2,769	)
Gain on sale of business unit, net of transaction expenses	5,449			—
Gain on legal settlement, net of transaction expenses	—			2,286
Income tax provision	(1,948		)	(914		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	2,921		$	(1,397	)

18.      Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing and had no subsequent events to report.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

56

amended (the “Exchange Act”)) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2012 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and with the participation of our Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, the management of our Company concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information

None

PART III

Item  10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information concerning our directors, executive officers and corporate governance is set forth in the Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting in Lieu of 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference.  Information concerning compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth under “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, as well as to directors, officers and employees generally. The Code sets forth written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote (1) honest and ethical conduct, (2) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with the SEC and in other public communications made by us, (3) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, (4) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code and (5) accountability for adherence to the Code.  We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of the Code. Any person wishing a copy should write to Michael W. O’Dougherty, Clerk, Spire Corporation, One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-2396.

57

A copy of the Code is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 21 to our Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Item 11.Executive Compensation

Information concerning executive compensation is set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management, and related stockholder matters, is set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence, is set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information concerning principal accounting fees and services is set forth in the Proxy Statement and incorporated  herein by reference.

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PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits

The following Exhibits are either filed herewith or are incorporated by reference as may be indicated.

2.1	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2009, by and among Bard Access Systems, Inc. and Spire Biomedical, Inc. and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. +
2.2	Extension dated September 25, 2009 of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2009, by and among Bard Access Systems, Inc. and Spire Biomedical, Inc. and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
2.3	Extension dated October 30, 2009 of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2009, by and among Bard Access Systems, Inc. and Spire Biomedical, Inc. and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
2.4	Extension dated November 30, 2009 of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2009, by and among Bard Access Systems, Inc. and Spire Biomedical, Inc. and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 18, 2009.
2.5	Amendment dated December 14, 2009 of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2009, by and among Bard Access Systems, Inc. and Spire Biomedical, Inc. and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 18, 2009. +
2.6	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 9, 2012, by and among Masimo Corporation, Masimo Semiconductor, Inc., Spire Corporation and Spire Semiconductor, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2012. +
3.1	Articles of Organization as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company’s Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.
3.2	By-Laws, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989.
10.1	Employment Agreement with Roger G. Little dated as of January 1, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2001  (“2001 10-KSB”).
10.2	Amendment No. One dated November 18, 2004 to Employment Agreement for Roger G. Little, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) to the Company’s 2004 Form 10-KSB.
10.3	Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Roger Little (Amended and Restated Effective as of November 17, 2011), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 22, 2011.
10.4	Spire Corporation 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated April 15, 2004.
10.5	Spire Corporation 2007 Stock Equity Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Schedule 14A Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012.
10.6	Spire Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 (“2003 10-KSB”).
10.7	Trust Agreement dated April 1, 2004 between the Company and Riggs Bank N.A. as Trustee of the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(1) to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 (“2004 10-KSB”).
10.8	Amendment Number Four to the Spire Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan dated November 21, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to the Company’s 2005 Form 10-KSB.
10.9	Amendment Number Five to the Spire Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan dated December 22, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to the Company’s 2006 Form 10-KSB.
10.10	Lease Agreement, dated September 1, 2008, between Roger G. Little, Trustee of SPI-Trust, and Spire Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ae) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2008.
10.11	Lease Agreement, dated November 30, 2007, between Roger G. Little, Trustee of SPI-Trust, and Spire Corporation (lease of premises, approximately 144,230 sq. ft.), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 6, 2007.
10.12	First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated September 17, 2010, between Roger G. Little, Trustee of SPI-Trust, and Spire Corporation (lease of premises, approximately 144,230 sq. ft.), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ay) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 22, 2010.

59

10.13	Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 16, 2009, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(au) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
10.14	Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 16, 2009, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(av) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
10.15	First Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic), dated June 15, 2010, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aw) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
10.16	First Loan Modification Agreement (Exim), dated June 15, 2010, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ax) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
10.17	Second Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic), dated November 8, 2011, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
10.18	Second Loan Modification Agreement (Exim), dated November 8, 2011, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
10.19	Third Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic), dated December 30, 2011, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
10.20	Third Loan Modification Agreement (Exim), dated December 30, 2011, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
10.21	Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic), dated December 20, 2012, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank (filed herewith).
10.22	Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (Exim), dated December 20, 2012, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank (filed herewith).
10.23	Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, dated November 28, 2008, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ap) to the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008. *
10.24	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD01 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, dated April 20, 2009, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aq) to the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008. *
10.25	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD02 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, dated June 8, 2009, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ar) to the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008. *
10.26	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD03 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, dated September 8, 2009, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(as) to the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008. *
10.27	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD04 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, dated January 8, 2010, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(at) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.*
10.28	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD05 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, with an effective date of June 15, 2010, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(az) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.*
10.29	Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract MOD06 to Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, with an effective date of October 01, 2010, by and between Spire Corporation and Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aaa) to the Company’s 2010 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.*
14	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the 2003 10-KSB.
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the 2003 10-KSB.
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
31.1	Certification of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

60

31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1	Certification of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document **
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Lable Linkbase Document **
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

*	Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a grant of confidential treatment.
**	Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
+	We agree to furnish supplementally to the SEC a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to this agreement upon request by the SEC.

61

SIGNATURES

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		SPIRE CORPORATION
Date:	March 28, 2013	By:	/s/ Roger G. Little
			Roger G. Little
			Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Roger G. Little	Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President	March 28, 2013
Roger G. Little	(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Robert S. Lieberman	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	March 28, 2013
Robert S. Lieberman	(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Udo Henseler	Director	March 28, 2013
Udo Henseler
/s/ David R. Lipinski	Director	March 28, 2013
David R. Lipinski
/s/ Mark C. Little	Chief Executive Officer, Spire Biomedical and Director	March 28, 2013
Mark C. Little
/s/ Michael J. Magliochetti	Director	March 28, 2013
Michael J. Magliochetti
/s/ Guy L. Mayer	Director	March 28, 2013
Guy L. Mayer
/s/ Roger W. Redmond	Director	March 28, 2013
Roger W. Redmond

62

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
10.25	Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic), dated December 20, 2012, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank (filed herewith).
10.26	Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (Exim), dated December 20, 2012, among Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Inc., Spire Biomedical, Inc., Spire Semiconductor, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank (filed herewith).
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
31.1	Certification of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1	Certification of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document **
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Lable Linkbase Document **
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

63

EX-10.25

Exhibit 10.25

FOURTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

(Domestic)

This Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (this “Loan Modification Agreement”) is entered into as of December 20, 2012, by and among (a) SILICON VALLEY BANK, a California corporation, with its principal place of business at 3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, California 95054 and with a loan production office located at 275 Grove Street, Suite 2-200, Newton, Massachusetts 02466 (“Bank”) and (b) SPIRE CORPORATION, a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Corporation”), SPIRE SOLAR, INC.,a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Solar”), SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC., a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Biomedical”), and SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal place of business at 25 Sagamore Park Road, Hudson, New Hampshire 03051 (“Spire Semiconductor”) (Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Spire Biomedical, and Spire Semiconductor are jointly and severally, individually and collectively, “Borrower”).

1. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS. Among other indebtedness and obligations which may be owing by Borrower to Bank, Borrower is indebted to Bank pursuant to a loan arrangement dated as of November 16, 2009, evidenced by, among other documents, a certain Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009, between Borrower and Bank, as amended by a certain First Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic) dated as of June 15, 2010, as further amended by a certain Second Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic) dated as of November 8, 2011, and as further amended by a certain Third Loan Modification Agreement (Domestic) dated as of December 30, 2011 (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Loan Agreement.

2.DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL. Repayment of the Obligations is secured by the Collateral as defined in the Loan Agreement (together with any other collateral security granted to Bank, the “Security Documents”). Hereinafter, the Security Documents, together with all other documents evidencing or securing the Obligations shall be referred to as the “Existing Loan Documents”.

3.DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE IN TERMS.

A. Modifications to Loan Agreement.

1 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in Section 2.1.1(b) thereof:

“    (i)    The aggregate face amount of all Financed Receivables outstanding at any time may not exceed the Facility Amount. In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder together with all Advances (as defined in the Exim Agreement) outstanding under the Exim Agreement may not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) at any time, and (B) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder at any time may not exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“    (i)    The aggregate face amount of all Financed Receivables outstanding at any time may not exceed the Facility Amount. In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder together with all Advances (as defined in the Exim Agreement) outstanding under the Exim Agreement may not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) at any time, and (B) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder at any time may not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).”

2 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in Section 2.1.1(f) thereof:

“If this Agreement is terminated (A) by Bank in accordance with clause (ii) in the foregoing sentence, or (B) by Borrower for any reason, and at the time of such termination the Exim Agreement has been terminated or matured, Borrower shall pay to Bank a termination fee in an amount equal to Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) (the “Early Termination Fee”).”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“If this Agreement is terminated (A) by Bank in accordance with clause (ii) in the foregoing sentence, or (B) by Borrower for any reason, and at the time of such termination the Exim Agreement has been terminated or matured, Borrower shall pay to Bank a termination fee in an amount equal to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) (the “Early Termination Fee”).”

3 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following definitions, appearing in Section 13.1 thereof:

“    “Facility Amount” is Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00).”

“    “Maturity Date” isDecember 29, 2012.”

“    “Minimum Finance Charge” is Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00).

“    “Streamline Availability Amount” is the lesser of (a) Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) and (b) the Borrowing Base.”

“    “Streamline Facility Eligible” means, as of any day during any subject month, Borrower has provided evidence to Bank that: Borrower (i) had Liquidity of at least Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($3,750,000.00) at all times during the applicable Testing Month, and (ii) has Liquidity of at least Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($3,750,000.00) on such day.”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“    “Facility Amount” is One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00).”

“    “Maturity Date” isJune 29, 2013.”

“    “Minimum Finance Charge” is Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).

“    “Streamline Availability Amount” is the lesser of (a) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and (b) the Borrowing Base.”

“    “Streamline Facility Eligible” means, as of any day during any subject month, Borrower has provided evidence to Bank that: Borrower (i) had Liquidity of at least Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) at all times during the applicable Testing Month, and (ii) has Liquidity of at least Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) on such day.”

4 The Compliance Certificate appearing as Exhibit B to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced with the Compliance Certificate attached as Schedule 1 hereto.

4.FEES. Borrower shall pay to Bank a modification fee equal to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), which fee shall be due on the date hereof and shall be deemed fully earned as of the date hereof. Borrower shall also reimburse Bank for all legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with this amendment to the Existing Loan Documents.

5.RATIFICATION OF PERFECTION CERTIFICATES.

(a)    Spire Corporation hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Corporation to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Corporation provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(b)    Spire Solar hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Solar to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Solar provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(c)    Spire Biomedical hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Biomedical to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Biomedical provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(d)    Spire Semiconductor hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Semiconductor to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Semiconductor provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

6. CONSISTENT CHANGES. The Existing Loan Documents are hereby amended wherever necessary to reflect the changes described above.

7.RATIFICATION OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms, and reaffirms all terms and conditions of all security or other collateral granted to Bank, and confirms that the indebtedness secured thereby includes, without limitation, the Obligations.

8.NO DEFENSES OF BORROWER. Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that Borrower has no offsets, defenses, claims, or counterclaims against Bank with respect to the Obligations, or otherwise, and that if Borrower now has, or ever did have, any offsets, defenses, claims, or counterclaims against Bank, whether known or unknown, at law or in equity, all of them are hereby expressly WAIVED and Borrower hereby RELEASES Bank from any liability thereunder.

9.CONTINUING VALIDITY. Borrower understands and agrees that in modifying the existing Obligations, Bank is relying upon Borrower's representations, warranties, and agreements, as set forth in the Existing Loan Documents. Except as expressly modified pursuant to this Loan Modification Agreement, the terms of the Existing Loan Documents remain unchanged and in full force and effect. Bank's agreement to modifications to the existing Obligations pursuant to this Loan Modification Agreement in no way shall obligate Bank to make any future modifications to the Obligations. Nothing in this Loan Modification Agreement shall constitute a satisfaction of the Obligations. It is the intention of Bank and Borrower to retain as liable parties all makers of Existing Loan Documents, unless the party is expressly released by Bank in writing. No maker will be released by virtue of this Loan Modification Agreement.

10.COUNTERSIGNATURE. This Loan Modification Agreement shall become effective only when it shall have been executed by Borrower and Bank.

This Loan Modification Agreement is executed as a sealed instrument under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of the date first written above.

BORROWER:
	SPIRE CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE SOLAR, INC
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE BIOMEDICAL,INC
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC
By:	Spire Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation,
	its sole Member and Manager
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer

BANK:
	SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:	/s/ Kate Leland
Name:	Kate Leland
Title:	Vice President

Schedule 1

EXHIBIT B

SPECIALTY FINANCE DIVISION

Compliance Certificate

I, an authorized officer of SPIRE CORPORATION, SPIRE SOLAR, INC., SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC. and SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (jointly and severally, individually and collectively, “Borrower”) certify under the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) between Borrower and Silicon Valley Bank (“Bank”) as follows for the period ending _____________________________ (all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement):

Borrower represents and warrants for each Financed Receivable:

Each Financed Receivable is an Eligible Account;

Borrower is the owner with legal right to sell, transfer, assign and encumber such Financed Receivable;

The correct amount is on the Advance Request and Invoice Transmittal and is not disputed;

Payment is not contingent on any obligation or contract and Borrower has fulfilled all its obligations as of the Advance Request and Invoice Transmittal date;

Each Financed Receivable is based on an actual sale and delivery of goods and/or services rendered, is due to Borrower, is not past due or in default, has not been previously sold, assigned, transferred, or pledged and is free of any liens, security interests and encumbrances other than Permitted Liens;

There are no defenses, offsets, counterclaims or agreements for which the Account Debtor may claim any deduction or discount;

It reasonably believes no Account Debtor is insolvent or subject to any Insolvency Proceedings;

It has not filed or had filed against it Insolvency Proceedings and does not anticipate any filing;

Bank has the right to endorse and/or require Borrower to endorse all payments received on Financed Receivables and all proceeds of Collateral; and

No representation, warranty or other statement of Borrower in any certificate or written statement given to Bank contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statement contained in the certificates or statement not misleading.

Additionally, Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

Borrower and each Subsidiary is duly existing and in good standing in its state of formation and qualified and licensed to do business in, and in good standing in, any state in which the conduct of its business or its ownership of property requires that it be qualified except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized, and do not conflict with Borrower's organizational documents, nor constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which Borrower is bound. Borrower is not in default under any agreement to which or by which it is bound in which the default could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Borrower has good title to the Collateral, free of Liens except Permitted Liens. All inventory is in all material respects of good and marketable quality, free from material defects.

Borrower is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” as each term is defined and used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Borrower is not engaged as one of its important activities in extending credit for margin stock (under Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors). Borrower has complied in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Borrower has not violated any laws, ordinances or rules, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. None of Borrower's or any Subsidiary's properties or assets has been used by Borrower or any Subsidiary or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance other than legally. Borrower and each Subsidiary has timely filed all required tax returns and paid, or made adequate provision to pay, all material taxes, except those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves under GAAP. Borrower and each Subsidiary has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all government authorities that are necessary to continue its business as currently conducted except where the failure to obtain or make such consents, declarations, notices or filings would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.7 of the Agreement.

All other representations and warranties in the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on this date, and Borrower represents that there is no existing Event of Default.

Financial Covenant

Required ActualCompliance

Minimum Cash            >$1,500,000      $ ______        Yes No

Streamline Facility Eligibility

RequiredActualEligible

Liquidity            >$2,500,000     $_____            Yes No

Sincerely,

SPIRE CORPORATION

SPIRE SOLAR, INC.

SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC.

SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC

________________________

Signature

________________________

Title

________________________

Date

EX-10.26

Exhibit: 10.26

FOURTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

(Exim)

This Fourth Loan Modification Agreement (this “Loan Modification Agreement”) is entered into as of December 20, 2012, by and among (a) SILICON VALLEY BANK, a California corporation, with its principal place of business at 3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, California 95054 and with a loan production office located at 275 Grove Street, Suite 2-200, Newton, Massachusetts 02466 (“Bank”) and (b) SPIRE CORPORATION, a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Corporation”), SPIRE SOLAR, INC.,a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Solar”), SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC., a Massachusetts corporation, with its principal place of business at One Patriots Park, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 (“Spire Biomedical”), and SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal place of business at 25 Sagamore Park Road, Hudson, New Hampshire 03051 (“Spire Semiconductor”) (Spire Corporation, Spire Solar, Spire Biomedical, and Spire Semiconductor are jointly and severally, individually and collectively, “Borrower”).

1. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS. Among other indebtedness and obligations which may be owing by Borrower to Bank, Borrower is indebted to Bank pursuant to a loan arrangement dated as of November 16, 2009, evidenced by, among other documents, a certain Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009, between Borrower and Bank, as amended by a certain First Loan Modification Agreement (Exim) dated as of June 15, 2010, as further amended by a certain Second Loan Modification Agreement (Exim) dated as of November 8, 2011, and as further amended by a certain Third Loan Modification Agreement (Exim) dated as of December 30, 2011 (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Loan Agreement.

2.DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL. Repayment of the Obligations is secured by the Collateral as defined in the Loan Agreement (together with any other collateral security granted to Bank, the “Security Documents”). Hereinafter, the Security Documents, together with all other documents evidencing or securing the Obligations shall be referred to as the “Existing Loan Documents”.

3.DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE IN TERMS.

A. Modifications to Loan Agreement.

1 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in Section 2.1.1(b)(i) thereof:

“In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder and Advances (as defined in the Domestic Agreement) outstanding under the Domestic Agreement may not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) at any time, and (ii) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder at any time may not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00).”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder and Advances (as defined in the Domestic Agreement) outstanding under the Domestic Agreement may not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) at any time, and (ii) the aggregate amount of Advances outstanding hereunder at any time may not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00).”

2 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in Section 2.1.1(b)(ii) thereof:

“Notwithstanding any terms in this Exim Agreement to the contrary, the aggregate principal amount of Exim Inventory Advances outstanding hereunder shall not exceed the lesser of (A) Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00), and (B) sixty percent (60.0%) of the aggregate principal amount of all Advances outstanding hereunder at any time.”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“Notwithstanding any terms in this Exim Agreement to the contrary, the aggregate principal amount of Exim Inventory Advances outstanding hereunder shall not exceed the lesser of (A) Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00), and (B) sixty percent (60.0%) of the aggregate principal amount of all Advances outstanding hereunder at any time.”

3 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in Section 2.1.1(f) thereof:

“If this Exim Agreement is terminated (A) by Bank in accordance with clause (ii) in the foregoing sentence, or (B) by Borrower for any reason, and at the time of such termination the Domestic Agreement has been terminated or matured, Borrower shall pay to Bank a termination fee in an amount equal to Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) (the “Early Termination Fee”).”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“If this Exim Agreement is terminated (A) by Bank in accordance with clause (ii) in the foregoing sentence, or (B) by Borrower for any reason, and at the time of such termination the Domestic Agreement has been terminated or matured, Borrower shall pay to Bank a termination fee in an amount equal to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) (the “Early Termination Fee”).”

4 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following text, appearing in the definition of “Advance Rate” in Section 13.1 thereof:

“(b) with respect to Exim Inventory Placeholder Invoices, (i) when Borrower is not Streamline Facility Eligible, twenty five percent (25.0%), and (ii) when Borrower is Streamline Facility Eligible, fifty percent (50.0%), in each case net of any offsets related to each specific Account Debtor, including, without limitation, Deferred Revenue, or such other percentage as Bank establishes under Section 2.1.1.”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“(b) with respect to Exim Inventory Placeholder Invoices, twenty five percent (25.0%), net of any offsets related to each specific Account Debtor, including, without limitation, Deferred Revenue, or such other percentage as Bank establishes under Section 2.1.1.”

5 The Loan Agreement shall be amended by deleting the following definitions, appearing in Section 13.1 thereof:

“    “Facility Amount” is Eleven Million Seven Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred Thirty Three and 33/100 Dollars ($11,733,333.33).”

“    “Maturity Date” isDecember 29, 2012.”

“    “Minimum Finance Charge”is Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00).”

“    “Streamline Facility Eligible” means, as of any day during any Subject Month, Borrower has provided evidence to Bank that: Borrower (i) had Liquidity of at least Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($3,750,000.00) at all times during the applicable Testing Month, and (ii) has Liquidity of at least Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($3,750,000.00) on such day.”

and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“    “Facility Amount” is Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000.00).”

“    “Maturity Date” isJune 29, 2013.”

“    “Minimum Finance Charge”is Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).”

“    “Streamline Facility Eligible” means, as of any day during any Subject Month, Borrower has provided evidence to Bank that: Borrower (i) had Liquidity of at least Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) at all times during the applicable Testing Month, and (ii) has Liquidity of at least Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) on such day.”

6 The Compliance Certificate appearing as Exhibit B to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced with the Compliance Certificate attached as Schedule 1 hereto.

4.FEES. Borrower shall pay to Bank a modification fee equal to Seven Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($7,600.00), which fee shall be due on the date hereof and shall be deemed fully earned as of the date hereof. Borrower shall also reimburse Bank for all legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with this amendment to the Existing Loan Documents.

5.RATIFICATION OF PERFECTION CERTIFICATES.

(a)    Spire Corporation hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Corporation to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Corporation provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(b)    Spire Solar hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Solar to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Solar provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(c)    Spire Biomedical hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Biomedical to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Biomedical provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

(d)    Spire Semiconductor hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in a certain Perfection Certificate dated as of June 22, 2009, delivered by Spire Semiconductor to Bank, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information Spire Semiconductor provided to Bank in such Perfection Certificate have not changed, as of the date hereof.

6. CONSISTENT CHANGES. The Existing Loan Documents are hereby amended wherever necessary to reflect the changes described above.

7.RATIFICATION OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms, and reaffirms all terms and conditions of all security or other collateral granted to Bank, and confirms that the indebtedness secured thereby includes, without limitation, the Obligations.

8.NO DEFENSES OF BORROWER. Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that Borrower has no offsets, defenses, claims, or counterclaims against Bank with respect to the Obligations, or otherwise, and that if Borrower now has, or ever did have, any offsets, defenses, claims, or counterclaims against Bank, whether known or unknown, at law or in equity, all of them are hereby expressly WAIVED and Borrower hereby RELEASES Bank from any liability thereunder.

9.CONTINUING VALIDITY. Borrower understands and agrees that in modifying the existing Obligations, Bank is relying upon Borrower's representations, warranties, and agreements, as set forth in the Existing Loan Documents. Except as expressly modified pursuant to this Loan Modification Agreement, the terms of the Existing Loan Documents remain unchanged and in full force and effect. Bank's agreement to modifications to the existing Obligations pursuant to this Loan Modification Agreement in no way shall obligate Bank to make any future modifications to the Obligations. Nothing in this Loan Modification Agreement shall constitute a satisfaction of the Obligations. It is the intention of Bank and Borrower to retain as liable parties all makers of Existing Loan Documents, unless the party is expressly released by Bank in writing. No maker will be released by virtue of this Loan Modification Agreement.

10.COUNTERSIGNATURE. This Loan Modification Agreement shall become effective only when it shall have been executed by Borrower and Bank.

This Loan Modification Agreement is executed as a sealed instrument under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of the date first written above.

BORROWER:
	SPIRE CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE SOLAR, INC
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE BIOMEDICAL,INC
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer
	SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC
By:	Spire Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation,
	its sole Member and Manager
By:	/s/ Roger G. Little	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
Name:	Roger G. Little	Name:	Robert S. Lieberman
Title:	Chairman & CEO	Title:	CFO and Treasurer

BANK:
	SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:	/s/ Kate Leland
Name:	Kate Leland
Title:	Vice President

Schedule 1

EXHIBIT B

SPECIALTY FINANCE DIVISION

Compliance Certificate

I, an authorized officer of SPIRE CORPORATION, SPIRE SOLAR, INC., SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC. and SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (jointly and severally, individually and collectively, “Borrower”) certify under the Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Exim Agreement”) between Borrower and Silicon Valley Bank (“Bank”) as follows for the period ending _____________________________ (all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Exim Agreement):

Borrower represents and warrants for each Financed Receivable (other than Financed Receivables based upon Exim Inventory Placeholder Invoices):

Each Financed Receivable is an Eligible Foreign Account;

Borrower is the owner with legal right to sell, transfer, assign and encumber such Financed Receivable;

The correct amount is on the Advance Request and Invoice Transmittal and is not disputed;

Payment is not contingent on any obligation or contract and Borrower has fulfilled all its obligations as of the Advance Request and Invoice Transmittal date;

Each Financed Receivable is based on an actual sale and delivery of goods and/or services rendered, is due to Borrower, is not past due or in default, has not been previously sold, assigned, transferred, or pledged and is free of any liens, security interests and encumbrances other than Permitted Liens;

There are no defenses, offsets, counterclaims or agreements for which the Account Debtor may claim any deduction or discount;

It reasonably believes no Account Debtor is insolvent or subject to any Insolvency Proceedings;

It has not filed or had filed against it Insolvency Proceedings and does not anticipate any filing;

Bank has the right to endorse and/or require Borrower to endorse all payments received on Financed Receivables and all proceeds of Collateral;

No representation, warranty or other statement of Borrower in any certificate or written statement given to Bank contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statement contained in the certificates or statement not misleading. All statements made and all unpaid balances appearing in all invoices, instruments and other documents evidencing the Financed Receivable are and shall be true and correct and all such invoices, instruments and other documents, and all of Borrower's Books are genuine and in all respects what they purport to be;

All sales and other transactions underlying or giving rise to each Financed Receivable shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; and

To the best of Borrower's knowledge, all signatures and endorsements on all documents, instruments, and agreements relating to each Financed Receivable are genuine, and all such documents, instruments and agreements are legally enforceable in accordance with their terms.

Additionally, Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

Borrower and each Subsidiary is duly existing and in good standing in its state of formation and qualified and licensed to do business in, and in good standing in, any state in which the conduct of its business or its ownership of property requires that it be

qualified except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized, and do not conflict with Borrower's organizational documents, nor constitute an event of default under any material agreementby which Borrower is bound. Borrower is not in default under any agreementto which or by which it is bound in which the default could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Borrower has good title to the Collateral, free of Liens except Permitted Liens. All inventory is in all material respects of good and marketable quality, free from material defects.

Borrower is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” as each term is defined and used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Borrower is not engaged as one of its important activities in extending credit for margin stock (under Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors). Borrower has complied in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Borrower has not violated any laws, ordinances or rules, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. None of Borrower's or any Subsidiary's properties or assets has been used by Borrower or any Subsidiary or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance other than legally. Borrower and each Subsidiary has timely filed all required tax returns and paid, or made adequate provision to pay, all material taxes, except those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves under GAAP. Borrower and each Subsidiary has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all government authorities that are necessary to continue its business as currently conducted except where the failure to obtain or make such consents, declarations, notices or filings would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

With respect to Exim Inventory Placeholder Invoices, Borrower represents and warrants that all of Borrower's Inventory which is the subject of any Exim Inventory Placeholder Invoice is and will continue to be Eligible Export-Related Inventory.

The undersigned represents and warrants that as of the date hereof the foregoing is true, complete and correct, that the information reflected in this Compliance Certificate complies with the representations and warranties set forth in the Exim Agreement and the Borrower Agreement dated December 20, 2012, as may be amended, modified, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, as if all representations and warranties were made as of the date hereof, and that Borrower is, and shall remain, in full compliance with its agreements, covenants, and obligations under such agreements. Such representations and warranties include, without limitation, the following: Borrower is using disbursements only for the purpose of enabling Borrower to finance the cost of manufacturing, purchasing or selling items intended for export. Borrower is not using disbursements for the purpose of: (a) servicing any of Borrower's unrelated pre-existing or future indebtedness; (b) acquiring fixed assets or capital goods for the use of Borrower's business; (c) acquiring, equipping, or renting commercial space outside the United States; or (d) paying salaries of non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents who are located in the offices of the United States. Additionally, disbursements are not being used to finance the manufacture, purchase or sale of all of the following: (a) Items to be sold to a buyer located in a country in which the Export Import Bank of the United States is legally prohibited from doing business; (b) that part of the cost of the items which is not U.S. Content unless such part is not greater than fifty percent (50.0%) of the cost of the items and is incorporated into the items in the United States; (c) defense articles or defense services or items directly or indirectly destined for use by military organizations designed primarily for military use (regardless of the nature or actual use of the items); or (d) any items to be used in the construction, alteration, operation or maintenance of nuclear power, enrichment, reprocessing, research or heavy water production facilities.

All other representations and warranties in the Exim Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on this date, and Borrower represents that there is no existing Event of Default.

Streamline Facility Eligibility

RequiredActualEligible

Liquidity            >$2,500,000         $_____        Yes No

Sincerely,

SPIRE CORPORATION

SPIRE SOLAR, INC.

SPIRE BIOMEDICAL, INC.

SPIRE SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC

________________________

Signature

________________________

Title

________________________

Date

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-22223, 333-128611, 333-143517 and 333-183278) of Spire Corporation of our report dated March 28, 2013 (which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the existence of substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern), relating to our audit of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Spire Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2012.

/s/ McGladrey LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 28, 2013

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

§302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Roger G. Little, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Spire Corporation.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d – 15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated:	March 28, 2013	By:	/s/ Roger G. Little
			Roger G. Little
			Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Office and President

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

§302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert S. Lieberman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Spire Corporation.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d – 15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated:	March 28, 2013	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
			Robert S. Lieberman
			Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO §906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of Spire Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K (the “Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Roger G. Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:	March 28, 2013	By:	/s/ Roger G. Little
			Roger G. Little
			Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Office and President

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO §906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of Spire Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K (the “Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Robert S. Lieberman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:	March 28, 2013	By:	/s/ Robert S. Lieberman
			Robert S. Lieberman
			Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

XML

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]

Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and the liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2012 and the assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

(in thousands)	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Assets
Current Assets
Restricted cash	$	718	$	—
Accounts receivable - trade, net	—		307
Inventories, net	—		337
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		50
Total current assets of discontinued operations	718		694
Net property and equipment	—		1,927
Intangibles & other assets, net	—		66
Total Assets of discontinued operations	$	718	$	2,687
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
Accounts payable	$	—	$	1,206
Accrued liabilities	171		253
Current portion of advances on contracts in progress	—		195
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	171		1,654
Other long-term liabilities	—		215
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	171	$	1,869

Condensed results of operations relating to the Medical Products Business Unit and the Semiconductor Business Unit for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012			2011
Net sales and revenues	$	425		$	2,816
Gross margin	$	(296	)	$	(1,502	)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	$	(580	)	$	(2,769	)
Gain on sale of business unit, net of transaction expenses	5,449			—
Gain on legal settlement, net of transaction expenses	—			2,286
Income tax provision	(1,948		)	(914		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	2,921		$	(1,397	)

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Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Machinery and equipment	$ 11,657	$ 11,328
Furniture fixtures and computer equipment	4,741	4,736
Leasehold improvements	3,854	3,775
Construction in progress	119	105
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	20,371	19,944
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(19,174)	(18,590)
Property and equipment, net	1,197	1,354
Depreciation	$ 705	$ 811

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Foreign Currency (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	$ (7)	$ 8

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Commitments Unrelated party capital lease (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	$ 0	$ 58,000
August 2009 Capital Lease [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	73,000
Assumed interest rate under capital lease	11.00%
Interest Expense, Lessee, Assets under Capital Lease	3,000	4,000
September 2009 Capital Lease [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	120,000
Assumed interest rate under capital lease	13.00%
Interest Expense, Lessee, Assets under Capital Lease	$ 1,000	$ 6,000

XML

Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Employee-related Liabilities, Current	$ 607	$ 1,039
Accrued Professional Fees, Current	401	552
Product Warranty Accrual, Current	583	936
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	630	924
Accrued Liabilities, Current	$ 2,221	$ 3,451

XML

Operating Segments and Related Information (Accounts Receivable Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 customers	Dec. 31, 2011 customers
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
The Number Of Customers That Account for 10% or Greater of the Company's Accounts Receivables	1	3
Customer B [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage Of Total Trade Receivables	24.00%
Customer C [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage Of Total Trade Receivables		19.00%
Customer D [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage Of Total Trade Receivables		12.00%
Customer E [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage Of Total Trade Receivables		10.00%

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Internal Research and Development Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Internal research and development expenses	$ 233	$ 776

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Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the financial instruments related to the Company's available-for-sale investments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 by ASC 820-10 valuation hierarchy (as defined above).

(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2012			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	32		$	32		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	15			15			—			—
Consumer Goods	58			58			—			—
Energy	29			29			—			—
Financial	61			61			—			—
Healthcare	52			52			—			—
Industrial Goods	51			51			—			—
Services	32			32			—			—
Technology	376			376			—			—
Transportation	8			8			—			—
Utilities	26			26			—			—
Total Common Stock	708			708			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	187			—			187			—
Precious Metals Fund	49			—			49			—
Foreign Large Blend	244			—			244			—
Foreign Large Growth	250			—			250			—
Large Growth	220			—			220			—
Small Blend	525			525			—			—
Global High Yield Income Fund	52			—			52			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,527			525			1,002			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	678			—			678			—
International	18			—			18			—
Total Fixed Income	696			—			696			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,963		$	1,265		$	1,698		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	43		%	57		%	—		%

(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2011			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	65		$	65		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	72			72			—			—
Consumer Goods	18			18			—			—
Financial	48			48			—			—
Healthcare	53			53			—			—
Industrial Goods	22			22			—			—
Services	78			78			—			—
Technology	151			151			—			—
Total Common Stock	442			442			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	155			—			155			—
Foreign Large Blend	123			—			123			—
Foreign Large Growth	171			—			171			—
Foreign Small/Mid Value	136			—			136			—
Value Fund	69			—			69			—
Large Growth	490			—			490			—
Small Blend Total	192			192			—			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,336			192			1,144			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	535			—			535			—
International	27			—			27			—
Total Fixed Income	562			—			562			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,405		$	699		$	1,706		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	29		%	71		%	—		%

⁽¹⁾  Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

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Operating Segments and Related Information Operating Segments and Related Information (Country Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	$ 22,110	$ 58,742
INDIA
Revenue, Percent 10% or Greater	10.00%
Revenues	2,800
SINGAPORE
Revenue, Percent 10% or Greater		10.00%
Revenues		$ 8,200

XML

Employee Benefit Plans Deferred Compensation Plan (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 16, 2012	Jun. 21, 2012	Nov. 17, 2011	Jan. 01, 2002
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contractual Contribution						$ 250
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution	384	156
Deferred Compensation, Elected US Dollar Equivalent of Shares			63	63	500
Closing stock price per share	$ 0.50		$ 0.55	$ 0.69	$ 0.78
Deferred Compensation, Elected Shares Equivalent			113,636	90,580	641,025
Deferred Compensation, Issued Shares	500,000	200,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Amount Equivalent Related to Shares to be Issued	84
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	250	250
Accrued Compensation Expense Related to a Deferred Compensation Plan	$ 209	$ 344

XML

Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements Line of Credit Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Guidence Line, Utilized	$ 675	$ 1,400
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	549
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	449	0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	6.00%
Ex-Im Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 141	$ 1,200
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	6.50%

XML

Operating Segments and Related Information (Geographic Area Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	$ 22,110	$ 58,742
Revenue, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
United States [Member]
Revenues	10,436	29,827
Revenue, Percentage	47.00%	51.00%
Europe / Africa [Member]
Revenues	3,628	5,258
Revenue, Percentage	17.00%	9.00%
Asia [Member]
Revenues	7,971	21,666
Revenue, Percentage	36.00%	37.00%
Rest of the World [Member]
Revenues	$ 75	$ 1,991
Revenue, Percentage	0.00%	3.00%

XML

Discontinued Operations Narrative(Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 14, 2009 Medical Products Business Unit [Member] employees	Jun. 30, 2010 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]	Mar. 09, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	$ (580,000)	$ (2,769,000)			$ 150,000	$ 0			$ 2,800,000	$ 430,000
Disposal Date			Dec. 14, 2009				Mar. 09, 2012
Business Divestiture, Sale Price			12,400,000				8,000,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses			9,400,000					7,300,000
Number of Employee Received in Cash			2
Sale of Business Unit, Cash paid to employees			100,000
Restricted cash	0	21,000						718,000
Sale of Business Unit, Cash Received after Certian Milestone				2,900,000
Business Divestiture, Sale Price Allocation, Liabilities Assume							500,000	1,200,000
Business Divestiture, Cost of Divisiture Entity, Transaction Costs								$ 425,000

XML

Operating Segments and Related Information (Revenue Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with United States Government Agencies	$ 1.8	$ 8.6
Percentage of Total Revenue	8.00%	15.00%
Solar Equipment [Member] | Customer A [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	12.00%	11.00%
Solar Equipment [Member] | Customer S [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage		16.00%
Solar Equipment [Member] | Customer G [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage		1.00%
Biomedical Service [Member] | Customer B [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	14.00%
Solar Cell Material [Member] | Customer G [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage		12.00%
Solar Photovoltaic System [Member] | Customer D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage		13.00%

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Commitments Related Party Operating Lease (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Bedford Lease [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bedford Lease [Member]	Nov. 30, 2007 Bedford Lease [Member] sqft	Dec. 31, 2012 Hudson Lease [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Hudson Lease [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Hudson Lease [Member]	Aug. 29, 2008 Hudson Lease [Member] sqft	Sep. 17, 2010 Additional 5 Year Lease Term [Member] Bedford Lease [Member]	Nov. 30, 2007 Inital Lease Term [Member] Bedford Lease [Member]	Aug. 29, 2008 Inital Lease Term [Member] Hudson Lease [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Area of Real Estate Property					144,000				90,000
initial term of lease												7 years 0 months 0 days
rent per square foot										16.00	12.50	12.50
Rental rate increase on each anniversary										0.50	0.75	0.75
right to extend term of lease										5 years 0 months 0 days
Rental rate increase on each annual anniversary for option period										0.50
term of lease extended										5 years 0 months 0 days
Deposit – related party	$ 0	$ 300						$ 300	$ 300
Operating Leases, Rent Expense from Continuing Operations			2,300	2,300		119	626
Operating Leases, Rent Expense from Discontinued Operations						134	702
Reimbursement for alterations or improvements to premises										$ 50

XML

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

Discontinued Operations

The accompanying audited condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and cash flows present the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as discontinued operations.

Sale of Medical Products Business Unit

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of the Medical Products Business Unit. The Company (i) determined that the Medical Products Business Unit was a separate component of the Company's business as, historically, management reviewed separately the Medical Products Business Unit's financial results apart from the Company's ongoing continuing operations, (ii) eliminated the Medical Products Business Unit's financial results from ongoing operations and (iii) determined that the Company will have no further continuing involvement in the operations of the Medical Products Business Unit or cash flows from the Medical Products Business Unit after the sale.

On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of the Medical Products Business Unit to Bard. The purchase price for the Medical Products Business Unit was $12.4 million, including (i) $9.4 million that was paid in cash to the Company at closing, (ii) $100 thousand that was paid in cash at closing to two of the Company's employees, including Mark Little, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Biomedical, as consideration for their execution of non‑competition agreements, and (iii) $2.9 million that was paid in cash to the Company in the second quarter of 2010 based on the achievement of certain milestones.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company received a cash payment of $2.5 million in settlement of a breach of contract dispute with a contract manufacturer and recorded a net gain on legal settlement of $2.3 million in the same quarter. This amount has been recorded as a component of net income from discontinued operations.

The company recorded a loss from discontinued operations before the sale of the Medical Product Business Unit of $150 thousand and zero for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Sale of Semiconductor Business Unit

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of the Company's Semiconductor Business Unit. The Company (i) determined that the Semiconductor Business Unit was a separate component of the Company's business as, historically, management reviewed separately the Semiconductor Business Unit's financial results apart from the Company's ongoing continuing operations, (ii) eliminated the Semiconductor Business Unit's financial results from ongoing operations and (iii) determined that the Company will have no further continuing involvement in the operations of the Semiconductor Business Unit or cash flows from the Semiconductor Business Unit after the sale.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo. The asset purchase agreement provided that the aggregate purchase price for the Semiconductor Business Unit was $8.0 million plus the assumption of $500 thousand in liabilities, with the cash portion of the purchase price being reduced by retained cash, accounts receivable and liabilities assumed by Masimo in excess of the agreed upon assumed liabilities. As a result, in the first quarter of 2012 the Company received approximately $7.3 million in cash (less the escrow described below) and incurred legal and transaction related fees of $425 thousand and Masimo assumed approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. Of the purchase price, approximately $718 thousand was deposited into an indemnity escrow account for fifteen months (or until June, 2013) to partially secure the Company's obligations for any indemnity claims under the asset purchase agreement. In connection with this transaction, the lease for the premises in Hudson, New Hampshire where the Semiconductor Business Unit was located, was terminated on March 9, 2012, and the Company was released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date.

The company recorded a loss from discontinued operations before the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit of $430 thousand and $2.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Summarized Financial Information of the Discontinued Operations

The assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and the liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2012 and the assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

(in thousands)	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Assets
Current Assets
Restricted cash	$	718	$	—
Accounts receivable - trade, net	—		307
Inventories, net	—		337
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		50
Total current assets of discontinued operations	718		694
Net property and equipment	—		1,927
Intangibles & other assets, net	—		66
Total Assets of discontinued operations	$	718	$	2,687
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
Accounts payable	$	—	$	1,206
Accrued liabilities	171		253
Current portion of advances on contracts in progress	—		195
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	171		1,654
Other long-term liabilities	—		215
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	171	$	1,869

Condensed results of operations relating to the Medical Products Business Unit and the Semiconductor Business Unit for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012			2011
Net sales and revenues	$	425		$	2,816
Gross margin	$	(296	)	$	(1,502	)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	$	(580	)	$	(2,769	)
Gain on sale of business unit, net of transaction expenses	5,449			—
Gain on legal settlement, net of transaction expenses	—			2,286
Income tax provision	(1,948		)	(914		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	2,921		$	(1,397	)

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Equipment Under Capital Lease [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 68
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	60
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	36
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	22
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	19
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	34
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	239
Patents [Member]
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 111	$ 137

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Operating Segments and Related Information (Financial Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 22,110	$ 58,742
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations	(6,603)	(843)
Assets of Continuing Operations	15,907	21,491
Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets	143	197
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	804	1,039
Share-based Compensation	202	345
Solar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	15,255	50,957
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations	(7,280)	(2,346)
Assets of Continuing Operations	7,757	11,229
Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets	83	90
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	369	355
Share-based Compensation	61	129
Biomedical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,855	7,785
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations	677	1,503
Assets of Continuing Operations	1,499	1,787
Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets	8	0
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	208	356
Share-based Compensation	43	45
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations	0	0
Assets of Continuing Operations	6,651	8,475
Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets	52	107
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	227	328
Share-based Compensation	$ 98	$ 171

XML

Income (loss) Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income (loss) Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]

The following table provides a reconciliation of the denominators of the Company’s reported basic and diluted loss per share computations for the years ended December 31:

	2012	2011
Weighted average number of common and common   equivalent shares outstanding – basic	8,579,027	8,386,188
Add:  Net additional common shares upon assumed     exercise of common stock options	—	—
Weighted average number of common and common     equivalent shares outstanding – diluted	8,579,027	8,386,188

XML

Accounts Receivable and Advances on Contracts in Progress (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Billed Contracts Receivable	$ 1,927	$ 3,327
Accrued Fees and Other Revenue Receivable	238	177
Accounts Receivable, Gross	2,165	3,504
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	28	40
Accounts Receivable, Net	2,137	3,464
Customer Advances, Current	1,037	2,232
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries	$ 0	$ 64

XML

Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
Current portion of capital lease obligation	$ (13)	$ (37)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligation	8	21
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	15
Leases, Future Minumum Payments, Due in Two Years	8
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	0
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	0
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	0
Lease, Future Minimum Payments Due	23
Interest Expense, Lessee, Assets under Capital Lease	(2)
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	21
Current portion of capital lease obligation	(13)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligation	8
Related Party [Member] | Operating Lease Expense [Member]
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	2,313
Leases, Future Minumum Payments, Due in Two Years	2,386
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	2,458
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2,530
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	2,380
Lease, Future Minimum Payments Due	12,067
Unrelated Party [Member] | Operating Lease Expense [Member]
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	136
Leases, Future Minumum Payments, Due in Two Years	48
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	0
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	0
Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	0
Lease, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 184

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Share-based Compensation Valuation Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 1.78	$ 2.62
Stock Options [Member]
Expected Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.71%	1.76%
Expected Option Life	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 1 month 2 days
Expected Volatility Factor	93.30%	78.00%

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale marketable securiteis, net of tax	$ 21	$ (245)

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Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Description of the Business [Abstract]

Description of the Business [Text Block]

Description of the Business

Spire Corporation ("Spire" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and markets highly-engineered products and services in two principal business areas: (i) capital equipment and systems for the photovoltaic solar industry and (ii) biomedical, generally bringing to bear expertise in materials technologies, surface science and thin films across both business areas, discussed below.

In the photovoltaic solar area, the Company develops, manufactures and markets specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells and provide photovoltaic systems for grid connected applications in the commercial markets.  The Company's equipment has been installed in approximately 200 factories in 50 countries.  The equipment market is very competitive with major competitors located in the U.S., Japan and Europe.  The Company's flagship product is its Sun Simulator which tests module performance.  The Company's other product offerings include turn-key module lines and to a lesser extent other individual equipment.  To compete the Company offers other services such as training and assistance with module certification.  The Company also provides turn-key services to its customers to backward integrate to solar cell manufacturing. At times, the Company supplies materials such as solar cells to certain customers.

In the biomedical area, the Company provides value-added surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic and other medical devices that enhance the durability, antimicrobial characteristics or other material characteristics of their products; and perform sponsored research programs into practical applications of advanced biomedical and biophotonic technologies.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its semiconductor business unit, which provided semiconductor foundry services, operated a semiconductor foundry and fabrication facility and was engaged in the business of wafer epitaxy, foundry services, and device fabrication for the defense, medical, telecommunications and consumer products markets (the “Semiconductor Business Unit”), to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo"). Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

On December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its Medical Products Business Unit, which developed and marketed coated and uncoated hemodialysis catheters and related devices for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (the “Medical Products Business Unit”), to Bard Access Systems, Inc. (“Bard”). Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

Operating results will depend upon revenue growth and product mix, as well as the timing of shipments of higher priced products from our solar equipment line and delivery of solar systems.  Export sales, which amounted to 53% and 49% of net sales and revenues for 2012 and 2011, respectively, continue to constitute a significant portion of the Company's net sales and revenues.

The Company has incurred operating losses from continuing operations. Operating loss from continuing operations was $6.6 million and $843 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $7.8 million in 2012, which includes $1.7 million of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.1 million in 2011, which includes $793 thousand of cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $3.0 million compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2011. The maturity date of the Company's credit facilities is June 29, 2013. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company currently believes that its existing cash resources at December 31, 2012, will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2013; however, the Company cannot assure you of this.

The Company has various options on how to fund future operational losses or working capital needs, including but not limited to sales of equity, bank debt, the sale or license of assets and technology, or joint ventures involving cash infusions, as it has done in the past; however, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to sell equity, obtain or access bank debt, sell or license assets or technology or enter into such joint ventures on a timely basis and at appropriate values.  The Company has developed several plans including cost reduction efforts, expand revenue in other solar markets and potential strategic alternatives to offset a decline in business due to global economic conditions.  The Company's inability to successfully implement its cost reduction strategies, expand revenue in other solar markets or to renew the Company's credit facilities, could adversely impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

Based on the forecasts and estimates underlying the Company's current operating plan, the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

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Share-based compensation Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 optionplans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Optin Plans	2
Percentage of Fair Market Value	110.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Contractual Term	10 years

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Intangible Asset Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Patents [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Patents [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Licensing Agreements [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Licensing Agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 239		$ 111	$ 137		$ 60	$ 65
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization			822	767	15		10
Amortization of Intangible Assets	99	228
Write-off intangible assets	38	160
Pending Patent	$ 68

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Accounts Receivable and Advances on Contracts in Progress (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounts Receivable and Advances on Contracts in Progress [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

Net accounts receivable, trade consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Amounts billed	$	1,927		$	3,327
Accrued revenue	238			177
	2,165			3,504
Less:  Allowance for doubtful accounts	(28		)	(40		)
Net accounts receivable - trade	$	2,137		$	3,464
Advances on contracts in progress	$	1,037		$	2,232

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]

 The changes in the product warranties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	894
Provision charged to income	507
Usage	(588		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	813
Reduction to reserve	(63		)
Usage	(278		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	472

Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Estimated amortization expense for the period ending December 31, is as follows:

(in thousands)	Amortization Expense
2013	$	68
2014	60
2015	36
2016	22
2017	19
2018 and future	34
	$	239

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Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements Credit Facilitiy Term Disclosure (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 CreditFacilities	Jun. 30, 2013 Credit Agreement [Member]	Dec. 30, 2012 Credit Agreement [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Credit Agreement [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Credit Agreement [Member] Ex-Im Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Accounts Receivable [Member] Credit Agreement [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Eligible receivables [Member] Credit Agreement [Member] Ex-Im Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Other eligible receivales billed in foreign currenc [Member] Credit Agreement [Member] Ex-Im Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Eligible Inventory [Member] Credit Agreement [Member] Ex-Im Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Prime Rate [Member] Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of Credit Facilities			2
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 1.5	$ 6.0	$ 1.0	$ 1.5
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Guidence Line, Capacity Available				1.5
Line of Credit Facility, Eligible Percentage								80.00%	90.00%	75.00%	50.00%
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maintaining Cash Balance				$ 1.0
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate												2.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				7.00%
Debt Instrument, Lower Interest Rate				0.50%

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Other Asset Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Refundable deposits	$ 154	$ 163

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Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold [Table Text Block]

Inventories, net of $860 thousand and $860 thousand of reserves at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and deferred cost of goods sold consist of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	1,784	$	2,284
Work in process	2,103		3,871
Finished goods	1,429		998
Net inventory	$	5,316	$	7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	$	185	$	180

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Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

Property and equipment consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Machinery and equipment	$	11,657		11,328
Furniture fixtures and computer equipment	4,741			4,736
Leasehold improvements	3,854			3,775
Construction in progress	119			105
	20,371			19,944
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(19,174		)	(18,590		)
	$	1,197		$	1,354

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (1,858)	$ (1,483)
Less: Net Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,921	(1,397)
Loss from continuing operations	(4,779)	(86)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	804	1,039
Deferred tax benefit	(1,948)	(914)
Deferred compensation	21	(245)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	202	345
Share-based Compensation	202	345
Provision for (reversal of) accounts receivable reserves	30	23
Provision for inventory reserve	317	686
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	21	0
Accounts receivable	1,297	3,427
Inventories	1,115	2,702
Deferred cost of goods sold	(5)	838
Deposits, prepaid expenses and other current assets	680	(391)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(2,972)	(2,732)
Deposit - related party	300	0
Advances on contracts in progress	(1,195)	(6,587)
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations	(6,112)	(1,895)
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	(1,726)	793
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(7,838)	(1,102)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	(143)	(197)
Additions to intangible and other assets	(2)	(84)
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(145)	(281)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations	6,859	(82)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,714	(363)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(37)	(44)
Repayments of Lines of Credit	(567)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	8
Net cash used in financing activities	(604)	(36)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,728)	(1,501)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	4,758	6,259
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	3,030	4,758
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	120	141
Income taxes refunded, net	(5)	(36)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow information
Liabilities converted to common stock	$ 384	$ 156

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Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Accrued liabilities include the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accrued employee related	$	607	$	1,039
Accrued professional fees	401		552
Accrued warranty and product	583		936
Accrued other	630		924
	$	2,221	$	3,451

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Discontinued Operations Business Units Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	$ 718	$ 694
Current Liabilities
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	171	1,654
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	0	215
Medical Products and Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]
Current Assets
Restricted cash	718	0
Accounts Receivable - trade, net	0	307
Inventories, net	0	337
Prepaid expense and other current assets	0	50
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	718	694
Net property and equipment	0	1,927
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operations Intangible Assets and Other Assets	0	66
Total Assets of discontinued operations	718	2,687
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	0	1,206
Accrued liabilities	171	253
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Deferred Revenue	0	195
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	171	1,654
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	0	215
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$ 171	$ 1,869

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Description of Business (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 countries factories	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 09, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 14, 2009 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]
Number of Factories Which the Company's Equipment Has Been Installed			200
Number of Countries Which the Company's equipment has been installed			50
Disposal Date						Mar. 09, 2012	Dec. 14, 2009
Export Sales, Percentage			53.00%	49.00%
Operating Income (Loss) from continuing operations			$ (6,603)	$ (843)
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations			(1,726)	793
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities			(7,838)	(1,102)
Cash and Cash Equivalents			$ 3,030	$ 4,758	$ 6,259
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012

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Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Raw materials	$ 1,784	$ 2,284
Work in process	2,103	3,871
Finished goods	1,429	998
Net inventory	5,316	7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	185	180
Inventory Valuation Reserves	860	860
Inventory write-off	$ 317	$ 184

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Employee Benefit Plans Profit Sharing Plan (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Profit Sharing Plan [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee, Percent	17.50%
Defined Contribution Plan, Empoyer Matching Contribution, Amount	$ 155	$ 151

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 3,030	$ 4,758
Restricted cash	0	21
Accounts receivable – trade, net	2,137	3,464
Inventories, net	5,316	7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	185	180
Deposits on equipment for inventory	69	609
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	617	757
Current assets of discontinued operations	718	694
Total current assets	12,072	17,636
Property and equipment, net	1,197	1,354
Intangible and other assets, net	393	490
Available-for-sale investments, at quoted market value (cost of $2,250 and $2,204 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	2,963	2,405
Deposit – related party	0	300
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	1,993
Total assets	16,625	24,178
Current liabilities
Current portion of capital lease obligation	13	37
Revolving line of credit	590	1,157
Accounts payable	1,424	3,405
Accrued liabilities	2,221	3,451
Advances on contracts in progress	1,037	2,232
Liabilities of discontinued operations	171	1,654
Total current liabilities	5,456	11,936
Long-term portion of capital lease obligation	8	21
Deferred compensation	2,963	2,405
Other long-term liabilities	746	891
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	0	215
Total long-term liabilities	3,717	3,532
Total liabilities	9,173	15,468
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 8,562,633 shares issued and outstanding on June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	91	86
Additional paid-in capital	23,084	22,510
Accumulated deficit	(15,945)	(14,087)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	222	201
Total stockholders’ equity	7,452	8,710
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 16,625	$ 24,178

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Long-lived Asset narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Write-off intangible assets	$ 38	$ 160

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Consolidated Statement of Operation Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales and revenues
Sales of goods	$ 12,989	$ 50,744
Contract research and service revenues	9,121	7,998
Total net sales and revenues	22,110	58,742
Cost of sales and revenues
Cost of Goods Sold	11,943	40,171
Cost of Services	4,896	4,581
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	16,839	44,752
Gross Profit	5,271	13,990
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,676	14,466
Internal research and development expenses	233	776
Total operating expenses	11,909	15,242
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	35	409
Operating Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,603)	(843)
Interest expense, net	(120)	(141)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	(7)	8
Total other expense, net	(127)	(133)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision)	(6,730)	(976)
Income tax benefit (provision) -continuing operations	1,951	890
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(4,779)	(86)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit	(580)	(2,769)
Gain on sale of business unit, net of transaction expenses	5,449	0
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Legal Settlement, before Income Tax	0	2,286
Income tax provision - discontinued operations	(1,948)	(914)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,921	(1,397)
Net loss	$ (1,858)	$ (1,483)
Basic income (loss) per share:
From continuing operations, net of tax	$ (0.56)	$ (0.01)
From discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.34	$ (0.17)
Basic Income (loss) per share	$ (0.22)	$ (0.18)
Diluted income (loss) per share:
From continuing operations, net of tax	$ (0.56)	$ (0.01)
From discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.34	$ (0.17)
Diluted Income (loss) per share	$ (0.22)	$ (0.18)
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	8,579,027	8,386,188
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding – diluted	8,579,027	8,386,188

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Share-based Compensation Exepnse (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Costs Not yet Recognized, Year One	$ 85,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested awards, Compensation Costs Not yet Recognized, Year Two	28,000
Share-based Compensation	202,000	345,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	202,000	345,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation of Discontinued Operations, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total.	(7,000)	24,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount	0	0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	113,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 3 months 8 days
Cost of Contract Reserach and Services [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	20,000	19,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	32,000	74,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 150,000	$ 252,000

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit) [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The reconciliation between the amount computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rate of 34% to pretax income (loss) and the actual benefit (provision) for income taxes follows:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Income tax benefit – continuing operations at statutory rate	$	2,289		$	1,258
Increase in valuation allowance related to income tax expense	(461		)	(600		)
State income tax benefit	211			363
Permanent differences	(88		)	(131		)
Income tax benefit – continuing operations	1,951			890
Income tax provision – discontinued operations at statutory rate	(1,656		)	(777		)
State income taxes – discontinued operations	(292		)	(137		)
Income tax provision – discontinued operations	(1,948		)	(914		)
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	3		$	(24	)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals	$	1,992		$	2,028
Inventories	365			377
Net operating loss carryforwards	4,705			4,822
General business credit carryforwards	403			404
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	268			268
Foreign tax credit	38			38
Total gross deferred tax assets	7,771			7,937
Prepaid expenses	(251		)	(294		)
Depreciation	130			(440		)
Amortization	(79		)	(131		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(200		)	(865		)
Valuation allowance	(7,571		)	(7,072		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

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Income Taxes Income Taxes (Summary of Net Deferred Tax Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary Of Net Deferred Tax Assets [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities	$ 1,992	$ 2,028
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	365	377
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	4,705	4,822
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, General Business	403	404
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	268	268
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	38	38
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	7,771	7,937
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expenses	(251)	(294)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	130	(440)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets	(79)	(131)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	(200)	(865)
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	(7,571)	(7,072)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	$ 0	$ 0

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Legal Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Legal Matters [Abstract]

Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations.

On February 4, 2011, Silicon International Ltd. ("SI") filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts, and on February 11, 2011 served a summons, against the Company alleging breach of contract related to SI's activities acting as a former sales and service representative of the Company within China. The complaint makes claims regarding amounts allegedly owed to SI by the Company, specifically with regard to allegedly owed commissions. SI is seeking payment of commissions allegedly owed to it. The Company filed its answer and counterclaims against SI on February 24, 2011, denying SI's allegations, and claiming that SI interfered in the Company's business relationships and generally engaged in multiple breaches of contract against the Company. In January 2013, both parties filed formal opposition to the opposing parties' motion to dismiss various claims and allegations. The ultimate outcome of this legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including the Company's assessment of the merits of the particular claim. It is not possible at this time to provide meaningful estimates as to amount or range of potential loss, but the Company does not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse affect on the Company's future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The Company is not aware of any other current or pending legal proceedings to which it is or may be a party that it believes could materially adversely affect its results of operations or financial condition or cash flows.

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Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Payments for Operating and Capital Leases [Table Text Block]

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had operating and capital leases for office space and office equipment. At December 31, 2012, future minimum lease payments for the period ended are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrelated Party Operating Leases		Related Party Operating Leases		Unrelated Party Capital Leases
2013	$	136	$	2,313	$	15
2014	48		2,386		8
2015	—		2,458		—
2016	—		2,530		—
2017	—		2,380		—
Total minimum lease payments	$	184	$	12,067	23
Less: amounts represented by interest					(2		)
Present value of monthly lease payments					21
Less: current portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					(13		)
Long-term portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					$	8

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Gain on Termination of Contracts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Gain on Termination of Contracts [Abstract]

Gain on Termination of Contracts [Text Block]

Gain on Termination of Contracts

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that a purchase and sale agreement with Genus Innovation Ltd. (“Genus”) related to a module manufacturing line was terminated due to a breach of contract by Genus. Genus had failed to take delivery of equipment and make payments as required by the agreement. In the third quarter of 2011, the Company formally notified Genus that they were in breach of the agreement and provided Genus until October 30, 2011 to cure the breach. Genus failed to cure the breach as required by the agreement and the Company sent Genus formal notification on October 31, 2011 that the agreement was terminated. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $409 thousand which relates to Genus' non-refundable deposit.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company determined that a purchase and sale agreement, as amended, with Evergreen Solar Systems India (P) Ltd. ("Evergreen") related to a module manufacturing line expansion was terminated due to a breach of contract by Evergreen. Evergreen had failed to make payments as required by the agreement and has not responded to numerous communications by the Company. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recognized a gain on termination of contracts of $35 thousand which relates to Evergreen's non-refundable deposit.

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Commitments Letters of credit (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 675	$ 1,400
Restricted cash to secure outstanding letters of credit		$ 21

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Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net Loss	$ (1,858)	$ (1,483)
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale marketable securiteis, net of tax	21	(245)
Total comprehensive loss	$ (1,837)	$ (1,728)

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 9,905	$ 84	$ 21,979	$ (12,604)	$ 446
Shares beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2010		8,360,133,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options - shares			2,500,000
Exercise of stock options		8	0	8
Issuance of common stock - Shares			200,000,000
Issuance of common stock		156	2	154
Share-based compensation	[1]	369		369
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities		(245)	0	0	0	(245)
Net Loss		(1,483)			(1,483)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation of Discontinued Operations, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total.		24
Stockholders' Equity Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		8,710	86	22,510	(14,087)	201
Shares end of the period at Dec. 31, 2011		8,562,633,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock - Shares			500,000,000
Issuance of common stock		384	5	379
Share-based compensation	[2]	195		195
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities		21	0	0	0	21
Net Loss		(1,858)			(1,858)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation of Discontinued Operations, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Total.		(7)
Stockholders' Equity Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 7,452	$ 91	$ 23,084	$ (15,945)	$ 222
Shares end of the period at Dec. 31, 2012		9,062,633,000

[1] (1) Includes $24 thousand, related to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011.

[2] (2) Includes $(7) thousand , related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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Share-based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock based Compensation and Stock Option Plan [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

Share–Based Compensation

The Company has recognized share-based compensation expense from continuing operations of $202 thousand and $345 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total non-cash, share-based compensation expense from continuing operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended is included in the following expense categories:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Cost of contract research, services	$	20	$	19
Cost of goods sold	32		74
Administrative and selling	150		252
Total share-based compensation	$	202	$	345

Share-based compensation expense from discontinued operations was $(7) thousand and $24 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was capitalized during 2012 and 2011. Compensation expense related to stock options to be charged in future periods amounts to approximately $113 thousand at December 31, 2012 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.27 years as follows:

For the years ended December 31,	Expected Compensation Expense
	(in thousands)
2013	$	85
2014	28
	$	113

The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately expected to vest.  Forfeitures represent only the unvested portion of a surrendered option and are typically estimated based on historical experience.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding options under two stock option plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”) and the 2007 Stock Equity Plan (the “2007 Plan”, together the "Plans"). Both Plans were approved by stockholders and provided that the Board of Directors may grant options to purchase the Company’s common stock to key employees and directors of the Company. Incentive and non-qualified options must be granted at least at the fair market value of the common stock or, in the case of certain optionees, at 110% of such fair market value at the time of grant. The options may be exercised, subject to certain vesting requirements, for periods up to ten years from the date of issue. The 1996 Plan expired with respect to the issuance of new grants as of December 10, 2006.  Accordingly, future grants may be made only under the 2007 Plan.

A summary of options outstanding under the Plans as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012 is as follows: 

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						(in thousands)
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011	793,107		$	6.40
Granted	40,000		$	0.75
Exercised	—		$	—
Cancelled/expired	(188,661	)	$	7.11
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	644,446		$	6.21	5.82	$	—
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012	575,696		$	6.35	5.66	$	—
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012	640,234		$	6.36	5.65	$	—
Options available for future grant at December 31, 2012	554,300

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $0.50 as of December 31, 2012, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately zero and $3 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options expected to vest at December 31, 2012 was approximately zero, and the weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options that are expected to vest is 5.56 years.

At December 31, 2012, the Company has outstanding under its 1996 Plan and 2007 Plan, an aggregate 243,746 non-qualified stock options held by the non-employee directors of the Company for the purchase of common stock at an average exercise price of $6.65 per share.

The per-share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $1.78 and $2.62 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Year	Expected Dividend Yield	Risk-Free Interest Rate		Expected Option Life	Expected Volatility Factor
2012	—	0.71	%	5.10 years	93.3	%
2011	—	1.76	%	5.09 years	78.0	%

The risk free interest rate reflects treasury yields rates over a term that approximates the expected option life. The expected option life is calculated based on historical lives of all options issued under the plan.  The expected volatility factor is determined by measuring the actual stock price volatility over a term equal to the expected useful life of the options granted.

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Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SPIRE Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0000731657
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,062,633
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 3,598,303

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Income Taxes (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $3 thousand and a net provision of $24 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company recorded a tax benefit on the loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million and $890 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which was offset by a provision on the income from discontinued operations of $1.9 million and $914 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The discontinued operations is associated with the sale of the Company's Semiconductor Business Unit and Medical Products Business Unit. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

The reconciliation between the amount computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rate of 34% to pretax income (loss) and the actual benefit (provision) for income taxes follows:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Income tax benefit – continuing operations at statutory rate	$	2,289		$	1,258
Increase in valuation allowance related to income tax expense	(461		)	(600		)
State income tax benefit	211			363
Permanent differences	(88		)	(131		)
Income tax benefit – continuing operations	1,951			890
Income tax provision – discontinued operations at statutory rate	(1,656		)	(777		)
State income taxes – discontinued operations	(292		)	(137		)
Income tax provision – discontinued operations	(1,948		)	(914		)
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	3		$	(24	)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals	$	1,992		$	2,028
Inventories	365			377
Net operating loss carryforwards	4,705			4,822
General business credit carryforwards	403			404
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	268			268
Foreign tax credit	38			38
Total gross deferred tax assets	7,771			7,937
Prepaid expenses	(251		)	(294		)
Depreciation	130			(440		)
Amortization	(79		)	(131		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(200		)	(865		)
Valuation allowance	(7,571		)	(7,072		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

The net change in the total valuation allowance for the period ended December 31, 2012 was an increase of $499 thousand.Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards were approximately $13.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012. The federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various times starting in 2026 through 2032, if not utilized.  The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various times starting in 2013 through 2032, if not utilized. Included in the Federal net operating loss carryforwards were approximately $3.5 million attributable to equity based compensation transactions. Approximately $1.0 million of the valuation allowance will be relieved through equity if these deductions for equity based transactions are realized.  Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in the Company’s ownership may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized in any one year to offset future taxable income. 

The tax years of 2009 through 2012 remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. In addition, because the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for the years ended December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service and the state taxing authorities are permitted to audit those earlier years and propose adjustments up to the amount of net operating loss generated. The Company is currently not under examination by the Internal Revenue Service or any other jurisdiction for any tax years. At December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any uncertain tax positions, unrecognized tax benefits and did not recognize any interest or penalties.  The Company does not expect there to be a change in unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

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Gain on Termination of Contracts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gain on Termination of Contracts [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	$ 35	$ 409	$ 35	$ 409

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 9,905	$ 84	$ 21,979	$ (12,604)	$ 446
Shares beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2010		8,360,133
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options		8	0	8
Issuance of common stock - Shares			200,000
Issuance of common stock		156	2	154
Share-based compensation	[1]	369		369
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities		(245)	0	0	0	(245)
Net Loss		(1,483)			(1,483)
Stockholders' Equity Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		8,710	86	22,510	(14,087)	201
Shares end of the period at Dec. 31, 2011		8,562,633
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock - Shares			500,000
Issuance of common stock		384	5	379
Share-based compensation	[2]	195		195
Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities		21	0	0	0	21
Net Loss		(1,858)			(1,858)
Stockholders' Equity Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 7,452	$ 91	$ 23,084	$ (15,945)	$ 222
Shares end of the period at Dec. 31, 2012		9,062,633

[1] (1) Includes $24 thousand, related to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011.

[2] (2) Includes $(7) thousand , related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Inventories and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold [Abstract]

Inventory and Deferred Costs of Goods Sold [Text Block]

Inventories and Deferred Cost of Goods Sold

Inventories, net of $860 thousand and $860 thousand of reserves at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and deferred cost of goods sold consist of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	1,784	$	2,284
Work in process	2,103		3,871
Finished goods	1,429		998
Net inventory	$	5,316	$	7,153
Deferred cost of goods sold	$	185	$	180

The Company wrote-off $317 thousand and $184 thousand of excess and obsolete inventory for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Deferred cost of goods sold represents costs of equipment that has shipped to the customer and title has passed but not all revenue recognition criteria have yet been met.  The Company defers these costs until the related revenue is recognized.

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Accounts Receivable and Advances on Contracts in Progress

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounts Receivable and Advances on Contracts in Progress [Abstract]

Accounts Receivables and Advances on Contracts in Progress [Text Block]

Accounts Receivable/Advances on Contracts in Progress

Net accounts receivable, trade consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Amounts billed	$	1,927		$	3,327
Accrued revenue	238			177
	2,165			3,504
Less:  Allowance for doubtful accounts	(28		)	(40		)
Net accounts receivable - trade	$	2,137		$	3,464
Advances on contracts in progress	$	1,037		$	2,232

Accrued revenue represents revenues recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented to customers as of the balance sheet date. These amounts are billed and generally collected within one year.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to pay amounts due. The Company actively pursues collection of past due receivables as the circumstances warrant. Customers are contacted to determine the status of payment and senior accounting and operations management are included in these efforts as is deemed necessary. A specific reserve will be established for past due accounts when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company does not record an allowance for government receivables and invoices backed by letters of credit as realizeability is reasonably assured. Bad debts are written off against the allowance when identified. There is no dollar threshold for account balance write-offs. While rare, a write-off is only recorded when all efforts to collect the receivable have been exhausted. The Company received payments of $10 thousand and $64 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, against amounts which had been previously reserved for in allowance for doubtful accounts.

Advances on contracts in progress represent billings that have been presented to the customer, as either deposits or progress payments against future shipments, but revenue has not been recognized.

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Operating Segments and Related Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Operating Segments and Related Information [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Operating Segments and Related Information

The Company's operations are focused on two primary business areas:  Spire Solar (comprised of solar equipment, solar systems, solar materials and solar research) and Spire Biomedical (comprised of biomedical surface treatments and biophotonics research).  Spire Solar and Spire Biomedical operate out of the Company's facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. Each business area is independently managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and the chief executive officers of each operating division.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our semiconductor business and on March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo Corporation. The Company reported the Semiconductor Business Unit as discontinued operations beginning with our financial results presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The Semiconductor Business Unit was previously reported as our optoelectronics segment. The Company's results of operations for all periods prior to fiscal 2012 presented in our consolidated financial statements have been restated to account for the Semiconductor Business Unit (optoelectronics segment) as discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our medical products business and, on December 14, 2009, the Company completed the sale the Medical Products Business Unit to Bard Access Systems, Inc. The Company reported the Medical Products Business Unit as discontinued operations beginning with our financial results presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The Medical Products Business Unit was previously part of our biomedical segment. Accordingly, the results of operations and liabilities of the Medical Products Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents certain operating division information in accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

(in thousands)	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2012
Net sales and revenues	$	15,255		$	6,855	$	—	$	22,110
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,280		)	677		—		(6,603		)
Total assets	7,757			1,499		6,651		15,907
Capital expenditures	83			8		52		143
Depreciation and amortization	369			208		227		804
Share-based compensation	61			43		98		202
	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2011
Net sales and revenues	$	50,957		$	7,785	$	—	$	58,742
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,346		)	1,503		—		(843		)
Total assets	11,229			1,787		8,475		21,491
Capital expenditures	90			—		107		197
Depreciation and amortization	355			356		328		1,039
Share-based compensation	129			45		171		345

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations is net sales less cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and gain on termination of contracts, but is not affected by non-operating income (expense), by income taxes or by net income (loss) from discontinued operations. In calculating operating income (loss) from continuing operations for individual business units, substantial administrative expenses incurred at the operating level that are common to more than one segment are allocated on a net sales basis. Certain corporate expenses of an operational nature are also allocated to the divisions based on factors including occupancy, employment, and purchasing volume. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

The following table shows net sales and revenues by geographic area (based on customer location) for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%
United States	$	10,436	47	%	$	29,827	51	%
Asia	7,971		36	%	21,666		37	%
Europe / Africa	3,628		17	%	5,258		9	%
Rest of the world	75		—	%	1,991		3	%
	$	22,110	100	%	$	58,742	100	%

Revenues from contracts with United States government agencies for 2012 and 2011 were approximately $1.8 million and $8.6 million, or 8% and 15% of consolidated net sales and revenues, respectively.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to First Solar, Inc. and revenues from the delivery of biomedical services to Stryker Orthopedics accounted for 12% and 14%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2012.

Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. and First Solar, Inc. accounted for 16% and 11%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of a solar photovoltaic system to PPS Berkshire Solar LLC accounted for 13% of total net sales and revenues for 2011. Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment and recurring revenues from the sale of solar cell materials to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. accounted for 1% and 12%, respectively, of total net sales and revenues for 2011.

One customer represented approximately 24% of net accounts receivable, trade at December 31, 2012 and three customers represented approximately 19%, 12% and 10% of net accounts receivable, trade at December 31, 2011.

Republic of India was the only foreign country that accounted for more than 10% of sales in 2012 and Republic of Singapore was the only foreign country that accounted for more than 10% of sales in 2011. Net sales to customers in Republic of India accounted for $2.8 million in 2012 and net sales to customers in Republic of Singapore accounted for $8.2 million in 2011.

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Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments [Abstract]

Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments

Letters of Credit

Outstanding letters of credit totaled $675 thousand and $1.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The letters of credit secure performance obligations and purchase commitments, and allow holders to draw funds up to the face amount of the letter of credit if the Company does not perform as contractually required. The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2012 were secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility. The outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2011 were secured by $21 thousand of restricted cash and the remainder was secured by the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility.

Purchase Obligations

Included in purchase obligations are raw materials, equipment and services needed to fulfill customer orders. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help assure an adequate supply, the Company enters into agreements with suppliers that either allow the Company to procure goods and services when it chooses or that establish purchase requirements. In certain instances, the agreements with purchase requirements allow the Company the option to cancel, reschedule, or adjust its requirements based on the Company's business needs prior to firm orders being placed. Consequently, only a portion of the Company's purchase obligations are firm, non-cancelable and unconditional. At December 31, 2012, the Company's obligations under firm, non-cancelable, and unconditional agreements were $367 thousand, of which, $363 thousand of the Company's purchase obligations are due in 2013.

Property Under Capital Leases and Lease Commitments

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had operating and capital leases for office space and office equipment. At December 31, 2012, future minimum lease payments for the period ended are as follows:

(in thousands)	Unrelated Party Operating Leases		Related Party Operating Leases		Unrelated Party Capital Leases
2013	$	136	$	2,313	$	15
2014	48		2,386		8
2015	—		2,458		—
2016	—		2,530		—
2017	—		2,380		—
Total minimum lease payments	$	184	$	12,067	23
Less: amounts represented by interest					(2		)
Present value of monthly lease payments					21
Less: current portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					(13		)
Long-term portion of unrelated party capital lease obligation					$	8

Unrelated Party Capital Lease

In August 2009 the Company entered into a lease for information technology storage equipment whereby the Company agreed to pay $73 thousand over a five year term expiring in July 2014.  The lease agreement did not provide for a transfer of ownership at any point.  Interest costs were assumed at 11%.  Interest expense was approximately $3 thousand and $4 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This lease was classified as a unrelated party capital lease.

In September 2009 the Company entered into a lease for information technology storage equipment whereby the Company agreed to pay $120 thousand over a three year term expiring in August 2012.  The lease agreement did not provide for a transfer of ownership at any point.  Interest costs were assumed at 13%.  Interest expense was approximately $1 thousand and $6 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This lease was classified as a unrelated party capital lease.

The asset value of the equipment under capital lease is zero and $58 thousand and is recorded in property and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Unrelated Party Operating Leases

Unrelated party operating leases expire at various times thru 2014 and primarily consist of leases for automobiles, servers, copiers and the telephone system.

Related Party Operating Lease

On November 30, 2007, the Company entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Bedford Lease”) with SPI-Trust, a Trust of which Roger G. Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, is the sole trustee and principal beneficiary, with respect to 144 thousand square feet of space comprising the entire building in which the Company has occupied space since December 1, 1985. The term of the Bedford Lease commenced on December 1, 2007 and was originally set to expire on November 30, 2012. The annual rental rate for the first year of the Bedford Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. The annual rental rate increased on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.

On September 17, 2010, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Lease Agreement with SPI-Trust to amend the Bedford Lease. The term of the Bedford Lease was extended for an additional 5 years to expire on November 30, 2017. The annual rental rate for the first year of the extended term (December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013) is $16.00 per square foot on a triple net basis, whereby the tenant is responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building. After the first year of the extended term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.50 per square foot. The Company has the right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease for an additional 5 years. If the Company exercises this right to further extend the term of the Bedford Lease, the annual rental rate for the first year of the further extended term will be the greater of: (a) the rental rate in effect immediately preceding the commencement of the extended term; or (b) the market rate at such time, and on each anniversary of the commencement of the extended term the rental rate will increase by $0.50 per square foot. Additionally, SPI-Trust agreed to reimburse the Company up to $50 thousand for all costs incurred by the Company in connection with any alterations or improvements to the premises or repairs or replacements to the heating and air conditioning systems. The Company believes that the terms of the Bedford Lease, as amended, are commercially reasonable. Rent expense from continuing operations under the Bedford Lease was $2.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

On August 29, 2008, the Company entered into a new Lease Agreement (the “Hudson Lease”) with SPI-Trust, with respect to 90 thousand square feet of space comprising the entire building in which Spire Semiconductor has occupied space since June 1, 2003.  The term of the Hudson Lease commenced on September 1, 2008, and was to continue for 7 years until August 31, 2015.  The annual rental rate for the first year of the Hudson Lease was $12.50 per square foot on a triple-net basis, whereby the tenant was responsible for operating expenses, taxes and maintenance of the building.  The annual rental rate increases on each anniversary by $0.75 per square foot.  In addition, the Company was required to deposit with SPI-Trust $300 thousand as security for performance by the Company for its covenants and obligations under the Hudson Lease.  SPI-Trust is responsible, at its sole expense, to make certain defined tenant improvements to the building.  The Company believes that the terms of the Hudson Lease were commercially reasonable and reflective of market rates.  The Hudson Lease was classified as a related party operating lease.  Rent expense from continuing operations under the Hudson Lease was $119 thousand and $626 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Rent expense from discontinued operations under the Hudson Lease was $134 thousand and $702 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In connection with sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit, the lease was terminated on March 9, 2012 and the Company was released from all future obligations under the lease as of such date. The security deposit of $300 thousand was used to off-set rent payments in the first quarter of 2012. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.

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Discontinued Operations Business Unit Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Medical Products and Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Medical Products and Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales and revenues						$ 425	$ 2,816
Gross margin						(296)	(1,502)
Loss from discontinued operations before sale of business unit		(580)	(2,769)	2,800	430	(580)	(2,769)
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax		5,449	0			5,449	0
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Legal Settlement, before Income Tax	2,300	0	2,286			0	2,286
Income tax provision						(1,948)	(914)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 2,921	$ (1,397)			$ 2,921	$ (1,397)

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Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements

The Company has two separate credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank” or “SVB”): (i) a Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement and (ii) an Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement pursuant to which outstanding amounts under this facility are guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the “EXIM Bank”).

On December 20, 2012, the Company and the Bank entered into (i) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) the Fourth Loan Modification Agreement amending certain terms of the Amended and Restated Export-Import Bank Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 16, 2009 (as amended, the “Ex-Im Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Loan Modification Agreements, the Company and the Bank agreed to (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from December 29, 2012 to June 29, 2013 and (ii) decrease the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility from $6 million to $1.5 million, with up to $1 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility and up to $1.5 million available under the Ex-Im Facility. In addition, the guidance line has been extended to support letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $1.5 million through June 29, 2013. If the Company achieves certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, the Company will not be required to cash collateralize letters of credit issued under this guidance line.

The Company's obligations under these two credit facilities, as well as the guidance line, are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are limited to 80% of eligible receivables. Advances under the Ex-Im Facility are limited to (i) 90% of eligible receivables subject to a suitable foreign currency hedge agreement if applicable, plus (ii) 75% of all other eligible receivables billed in foreign currency, plus (iii) 50% of the value of eligible inventory, as defined. Under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility, as long as any commitment remains outstanding under the facilities, the Company must comply with a financial covenant by maintaining a minimum cash balance of $1.0 million. In addition, until all amounts under the credit facilities with the Bank are repaid, covenants under the credit facilities impose restrictions on the Company's ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create or permit liens on the Company's assets, merge, consolidate or dispose of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), make dividend and other restricted payments, make certain debt or equity investments, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates or change the business conducted by the Company. Any failure by the Company to comply with the covenants and obligations under the credit facilities could result in an event of default, in which case the Bank may be entitled to declare all amounts owed to be due and payable immediately.

Under the credit facilities, interest on outstanding borrowings accrues at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the prime rate plus 2.5% or (ii) 7.0%. In addition, if the Company achieves certain levels of liquidity, based on cash on hand and availability under the credit facility, the Company will have a 0.5% lower interest rate.

Advances outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $449 thousand and zero at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Advances outstanding under the Ex-Im Facility were $141 thousand and $1.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  As of December 31, 2012, the interest rate per annum on the Revolving Credit Facility and Ex-Im Facility was 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. The Company has utilized $675 thousand and $1.4 million of the guidance line at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Combined availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Facility was $549 thousand as of December 31, 2012.

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Share-based Compensation and Stock Option Plan Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 16, 2012	Jun. 21, 2012	Nov. 17, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Closing stock price per share	$ 0.50		$ 0.55	$ 0.69	$ 0.78
Weighted-Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Begining balance	$ 6.40
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 0.75
Weighted-Average Excercise Price, Exercised	$ 0.00
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Cancelled/expired	$ 7.11
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	$ 6.21	$ 6.40
Weighted-Average Excercise Price, Exercisable at the end of period	$ 6.35
Weighted-Average Excercise Price, Vested and expected to vest at the end of period	$ 6.36
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$ 0	$ 3,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement be Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 6 months 22 days
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 9 months 25 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	0
Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Stock Options Number of Shares, Begining balance	793,107
Stock Options Number of Shares, Granted	40,000
Exercise of stock options - shares	0
Stock Options Number of Shares, Cancelled/expired	(188,661)
Stock Options Number of Shares, Ending balance	644,446
Stock Options Number of Shares, Exercisable at the end of the period	575,696
Stock Options Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest at the end of period	640,234
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	554,300
Weighted-Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 7 months 25 days
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expected To Vest Intrinsic Value At Period End	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 7 months 29 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$ 0

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Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012			2011
Machinery and equipment	$	11,657		11,328
Furniture fixtures and computer equipment	4,741			4,736
Leasehold improvements	3,854			3,775
Construction in progress	119			105
	20,371			19,944
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(19,174		)	(18,590		)
	$	1,197		$	1,354

Depreciation expense from continuing operations relating to property and equipment was approximately $705 thousand and $811 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities include the following at December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		2011
Accrued employee related	$	607	$	1,039
Accrued professional fees	401		552
Accrued warranty and product	583		936
Accrued other	630		924
	$	2,221	$	3,451

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

The hierarchy established under ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measures and Disclosures ("ASC 820-10") gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). As required by ASC 820-10, the Company's available-for-sale investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820-10, and its applicability to the Company's available-for-sale investments, are described below:

Level 1 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. As required by ASC 820-10, the Company does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 includes investments valued at quoted prices adjusted for legal or contractual restrictions specific to these investments.

Level 3 - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment, that is, inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 includes investments that are supported by little or no market activity.    

Valuation Techniques

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who would buy the asset or assume the liability rather than the Company's own specific measure. All of the Company's fixed income securities are priced using a variety of daily data sources, largely readily-available market data and broker quotes. To validate these prices, the Company compares the fair market values of the Company's fixed income investments using market data from observable and corroborated sources. The Company also performs the fair value calculations for its common stock and mutual fund securities using market data from observable and corroborated sources. In periods of market inactivity, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for certain instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3. During twelve months ended December 31, 2012, none of the Company's instruments were reclassified between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 and there have been no changes in valuation techniques.

The following table presents the financial instruments related to the Company's available-for-sale investments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 by ASC 820-10 valuation hierarchy (as defined above).

(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2012			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	32		$	32		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	15			15			—			—
Consumer Goods	58			58			—			—
Energy	29			29			—			—
Financial	61			61			—			—
Healthcare	52			52			—			—
Industrial Goods	51			51			—			—
Services	32			32			—			—
Technology	376			376			—			—
Transportation	8			8			—			—
Utilities	26			26			—			—
Total Common Stock	708			708			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	187			—			187			—
Precious Metals Fund	49			—			49			—
Foreign Large Blend	244			—			244			—
Foreign Large Growth	250			—			250			—
Large Growth	220			—			220			—
Small Blend	525			525			—			—
Global High Yield Income Fund	52			—			52			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,527			525			1,002			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	678			—			678			—
International	18			—			18			—
Total Fixed Income	696			—			696			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,963		$	1,265		$	1,698		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	43		%	57		%	—		%

(in thousands)	Balance of December 31, 2011			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and short term investments	$	65		$	65		$	—		$	—
Common Stock
Basic Materials	72			72			—			—
Consumer Goods	18			18			—			—
Financial	48			48			—			—
Healthcare	53			53			—			—
Industrial Goods	22			22			—			—
Services	78			78			—			—
Technology	151			151			—			—
Total Common Stock	442			442			—			—
Mutual Fund
Diversified Emerging Markets	155			—			155			—
Foreign Large Blend	123			—			123			—
Foreign Large Growth	171			—			171			—
Foreign Small/Mid Value	136			—			136			—
Value Fund	69			—			69			—
Large Growth	490			—			490			—
Small Blend Total	192			192			—			—
Total Mutual Funds	1,336			192			1,144			—
Fixed Income
Domestic	535			—			535			—
International	27			—			27			—
Total Fixed Income	562			—			562			—
Total available for-sale-investments (1)	$	2,405		$	699		$	1,706		$	—
Percent of total	100		%	29		%	71		%	—		%

⁽¹⁾  Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The carrying amounts reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and capital lease obligations approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company's revolving line of credit has been estimated by management based on the terms that it believes it could obtain in the current market for debt of the same terms and similar remaining maturities. Due to the short-term mature of the remaining maturities, frequency of amendments to its terms and the variable interest rates, the carrying value of the revolving line of credit approximates fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

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Income Taxes Income Taxes (Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Net from Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations	$ 3	$ (24)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	34.00%
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	2,289	1,258
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	(461)	(600)
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes	211	363
Income Tax Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	(88)	(131)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	1,951	890
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Rate, Discontinued Operations	(1,656)	(777)
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes Discontinued Operations	(292)	(137)
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Income (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation	$ (1,948)	$ (914)

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Income Taxes Income Taxes (narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Narrative [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Net from Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations	$ (3,000)	$ 24,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	(1,951,000)	(890,000)
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Income (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation	1,948,000	914,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	499,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards Federal	13,900,000
Oprating Loss Carryforwards, State	8,600,000
Valuation Allowance, Share-based Compensation	1,000,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Share-based Compensation	$ 3,500,000

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Share-based Compensation Non-employee Directors (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
Outstanding Stock Options for Non-empoyee directors	243,746
Share-based Compensation Arrangement for Non-employee Directors by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.65

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Share-based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock based Compensation and Stock Option Plan [Abstract]

Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]

Company has recognized share-based compensation expense from continuing operations of $202 thousand and $345 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total non-cash, share-based compensation expense from continuing operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended is included in the following expense categories:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2012		2011
Cost of contract research, services	$	20	$	19
Cost of goods sold	32		74
Administrative and selling	150		252
Total share-based compensation	$	202	$	345

Share-based compensation expense from discontinued operations was $(7) thousand and $24 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was capitalized during 2012 and 2011. Compensation expense related to stock options to be charged in future periods amounts to approximately $113 thousand at December 31, 2012 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.27 years as follows:

For the years ended December 31,	Expected Compensation Expense
	(in thousands)
2013	$	85
2014	28
	$	113

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block]

A summary of options outstanding under the Plans as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012 is as follows: 

	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						(in thousands)
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011	793,107		$	6.40
Granted	40,000		$	0.75
Exercised	—		$	—
Cancelled/expired	(188,661	)	$	7.11
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	644,446		$	6.21	5.82	$	—
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012	575,696		$	6.35	5.66	$	—
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012	640,234		$	6.36	5.65	$	—
Options available for future grant at December 31, 2012	554,300

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The per-share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $1.78 and $2.62 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Year	Expected Dividend Yield	Risk-Free Interest Rate		Expected Option Life	Expected Volatility Factor
2012	—	0.71	%	5.10 years	93.3	%
2011	—	1.76	%	5.09 years	78.0	%

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Interim Financial Statements (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 09, 2012 Semiconductor Business Unit [Member]	Dec. 14, 2009 Medical Products Business Unit [Member]
Disposal Date	Mar. 09, 2012	Dec. 14, 2009

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Income (loss) Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income (loss) Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Loss Per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of the denominators of the Company’s reported basic and diluted loss per share computations for the years ended December 31:

	2012	2011
Weighted average number of common and common   equivalent shares outstanding – basic	8,579,027	8,386,188
Add:  Net additional common shares upon assumed     exercise of common stock options	—	—
Weighted average number of common and common     equivalent shares outstanding – diluted	8,579,027	8,386,188

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 1,490 and 1,950 shares of common stock, respectively, issuable relative to stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, due to the Company's net loss position.

In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 624,446 and 773,107 shares of common stock, respectively, issuable relative to stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, due to the Company's net loss position and their exercise prices exceeding the average market price of the stock for the period.

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing and had no subsequent events to report.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 0	$ 21

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Available for sale investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ 222	$ 201

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale investments, at quoted market value, cost	$ 2,741	$ 2,204
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,062,633	8,562,633
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,062,633	8,562,633

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues from continuing operations from three primary sources: (1) commercial products including, but not limited to, solar energy manufacturing equipment, solar energy systems and solar energy materials; (2) biomedical processing services; and (3) United States government funded research and development contracts.

The Company generally recognizes product revenue upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met at the time of shipment when the risk of loss and title passes to the customer.

The Company's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) capital equipment solar energy business builds complex customized machines to order for specific customers.  Most orders are sold on a FOB Bedford, Massachusetts (or EX-Works Factory) basis and other orders are sold on a Carriage and Insurance Paid (or CIP), or on rare situations, a Delivery Duty Unpaid (or DDU) basis. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for this equipment when title of the product has passed to the customer, provided that customer acceptance is obtained prior to shipment and the equipment is expected to operate the same in the customer's environment as it does in the Company's environment.  When an arrangement with the customer includes future obligations or customer acceptance, revenue is recognized when those obligations are met or customer acceptance has been achieved.  Typically, the Company is able to separate arrangements with multiple elements into more than one unit of accounting as it relates to the passage of title, training and installation services when no right of return exists. The Company allocates total fees under contract to each element using the relative selling price method and revenue is recognized upon delivery of each element. The Company'smanagement performs extensive analysis to determine the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. The Company allocates revenue in arrangements using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price exists.  The Company determines estimated selling price ("ESP") of each deliverable based on a number of factors, including internal costs, gross margin targetsandhistorical sales of similar units, as well as external factors such as market and competitive conditions.

The Company's solar systems business provides photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these systems when title passes, the customer accepts the system installation and interconnection to the grid is achieved.

The Company's solar materials business supplies photovoltaic materials under a United States government contact.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these materials as title passes and the government accepts the materials.

The Company's biomedical business provides advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic devices. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues from these services when services are provided to the customer.

The Company recognizes revenues and estimated profits on long-term government contracts on a percent complete basis where the circumstances are such that total profit can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and ultimate realization is reasonably assured. The Company records revenue and profit utilizing the percentage of completion method using a cost-to-cost methodology. A percentage of the contract revenues and estimated profits is determined utilizing the ratio of costs incurred to date to total estimated cost to complete on a contract by contract basis. Profit estimates are revised periodically based upon changes in facts, and any losses on contracts are recognized immediately. Some of the contracts include provisions to withhold a portion of the contract value as retainage until such time as the United States government performs an audit of the cost incurred under the contract.  The Company's policy is to take into revenue the full value of the contract, including any retainage, as it performs against the contract since the Company has not experienced any substantial losses as a result of audits performed by the United States government.

(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.  Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, and at times may exceed federally insured limits.

(d) Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had restricted cash in the amount of $21 thousand to secure the Company's obligations under a purchase and sale agreement.

(e) Available-for-Sale Investments

Available-for-sale investments consist of assets held as part of the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. These investments have been classified as available-for-sale investments and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The unrealized gain on these marketable securities was $222 thousand and $201 thousand as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(f) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis.  Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers.  Historical inventory usage, forecasted demand and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventory. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

(g) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, as follows:

Equipment under capital lease	Lesser of 5 years or remaining life of lease
Machinery and equipment	5 and 7 years
Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment	3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of 10 years or remaining life of lease

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are added to property and equipment accounts at cost.

(h) Intangible and Other Assets

Patents amounted to $111 thousand and $137 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $822 thousand and $767 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Licenses amounted to $60 thousand and $65 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $15 thousand and $10 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Patent cost is primarily composed of cost associated with securing and registering patents that the Company has been awarded or that have been submitted to, and the Company believes will be approved by the government. License cost is composed of the cost to acquire rights to the underlying technology or know-how. These costs are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives or terms, ordinarily five years, using the straight-line method. There are no expected residual values related to these patents. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $99 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 which includes $38 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $228 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011 which includes $160 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year.

The table below includes future amortization expense for patents and licenses owned by the Company as well as estimated amortization expense related to patents that remain pending at December 31, 2012 of $68 thousand. This estimated expense for patents pending assumes that the patents are issued immediately, and therefore are being amortized over five years on a straight-line basis. Estimated amortization expense for the period ending December 31, is as follows:

(in thousands)	Amortization Expense
2013	$	68
2014	60
2015	36
2016	22
2017	19
2018 and future	34
	$	239

Also included in other assets are refundable deposits made by the Company of approximately $154 thousand and $163 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(i) Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification 360-10-5-4, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-5-4 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company measures recoverability of assets and /or asset groups to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset and/or asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset and/or asset groups. If such assets and/or asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets and/or asset groups exceed the fair value of the assets. The Company reports assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company evaluated long-lived assets for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and determined that the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows of the assets and/or asset groups exceeded the carrying amount of the assets for both years.

(j) Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, the Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  The Company evaluates this tax position on a quarterly basis using a two-step process.  The first step is a determination of whether the tax position should be recognized in the financial statements and the second step is the measurement of the tax position.  The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense, related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company’s evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the tax years which remain subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdictions.

(k) Warranty

The Company provides warranties on certain of its products and services. The Company’s warranty programs are described below:

Spire Solar generally warrants solar manufacturing equipment sold for a total of 360 days, which include the replacement of defective component parts and the labor to correct the defect. On occasion, extended warranties will be given to certain customers of solar manufacturing equipment for up to an additional 360 days.

Spire Biomedical warrants that its services will meet the agreed upon specifications.

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties, determined primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized.  Should actual product failure warranties differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.  Product warranty liabilities are included in accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  The changes in the product warranties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	894
Provision charged to income	507
Usage	(588		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	813
Reduction to reserve	(63		)
Usage	(278		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	472

(l) Internal Research and Development Costs     

Internal research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Company funded research and development costs were approximately $233 thousand and $776 thousand, respectively.

(m) Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share gives effect to all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. The Company did not pay any dividends in 2012 and 2011.

(n) Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Besides the reported net loss, other comprehensive loss includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of an unrealized gain of available-for-sale investments of approximately $21 thousand and an unrealized loss of available-for-sale investments of approximately $245 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(o) Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of stock option grants. ASC 718 requires the fair value of all share-based awards that are expected to vest to be recognized in the statements of operations over the service or vesting period of each award. The Company uses the straight-line method of attributing the value of share-based compensation expense for all stock option grants over the requisite service period.

(p) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  The significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, reserves for doubtful accounts, the assessment of excess and obsolete inventory, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes and warranty reserves.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(q) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments of the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revolving line of credit and capital leases. The Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2012 also include available-for-sale investments measured at fair value. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

(r) Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold.

(s) Foreign Currency

The Company sells almost exclusively in U.S. dollars, generally against an irrevocable confirmed letter of credit through a major United States bank. Accordingly, the Company is not directly affected by foreign exchange fluctuations on its current sales orders. However, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have an effect on the Company’s customers’ access to U.S. dollars and on the pricing competition on certain pieces of equipment that the Company sells in selected markets.  The Company bears the risk of any currency fluctuations that may be associated with these commitments.  The Company attempts to hedge known transactions when possible to minimize foreign exchange risk.  The Company had no hedging activity in 2012 and 2011. Foreign exchange gain (loss) included in other expense, net was a loss of approximately $7 thousand and a gain of approximately $8 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(t) Segment Information

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, requires public entities to report certain information about operating segments. Based on the guidance provided in ASC 280, the Company has determined that its business is conducted in three reportable segments: solar, biomedical and corporate.

(u) Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 855, Subsequent Events. Through the date of this filing, the Company did not have any material subsequent events that impacted its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

(v) New Accounting Standards

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The update requires companies to disclose information about financial instruments that have been offset and related arrangements to enable users of their financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial position. Companies will be required to provide both net (offset amounts) and gross information in the notes to the financial statements for relevant assets and liabilities that are offset. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, entities must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012, which only changed the manner of comprehensive income presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 ("ASU 2011-12"), Comprehensive Income: Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. As part of this update, the FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, an amendment to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The update revises the application of the valuation premise of highest and best use of an asset, the application of premiums and discounts for fair value determination, as well as the required disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measures and the highest and best use of nonfinancial assets. The update provides additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements and clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and the application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	$ 2,963	[1]	$ 2,405	[1]
Percent of Total Available-for-sale Investments	100.00%		100.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	1,265	[1]	699	[1]
Percent of Total Available-for-sale Investments	43.00%		29.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	1,698	[1]	1,706	[1]
Percent of Total Available-for-sale Investments	57.00%		71.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Percent of Total Available-for-sale Investments	0.00%		0.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	32		65
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Common Stock [Member]
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Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	708		442
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Common Stock [Member] | Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	26
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	1,002		1,144
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	244		123
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	244		123
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Growth [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	250		171
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	250		171
Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Mutual Fund-Foreign Small/Mid Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			136
Equity Funds [Member] | Mutual Fund-Foreign Small/Mid Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			0
Equity Funds [Member] | Mutual Fund-Foreign Small/Mid Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			136
Equity Funds [Member] | Mutual Fund-Foreign Small/Mid Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			0
Equity Funds [Member] | Large Growth [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	220		490
Equity Funds [Member] | Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	220		490
Equity Funds [Member] | Large Growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Small Blend [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	525		192
Equity Funds [Member] | Small Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	525		192
Equity Funds [Member] | Small Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Small Blend [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Equity Funds [Member] | Global High Yield Income Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	52
Equity Funds [Member] | Global High Yield Income Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0
Equity Funds [Member] | Global High Yield Income Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	52
Equity Funds [Member] | Global High Yield Income Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0
Equity Funds [Member] | Value Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			69
Equity Funds [Member] | Value Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			0
Equity Funds [Member] | Value Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			69
Equity Funds [Member] | Value Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure			0
Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	696		562
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	696		562
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Debt Securities [Member] | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	678		535
Debt Securities [Member] | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Debt Securities [Member] | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	678		535
Debt Securities [Member] | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	18		27
Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	0		0
Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	18		27
Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value disclosure	$ 0		$ 0

[1] (1) Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

XML

Discontinued Operations Settlement Disclosure (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Proceeds from Legal Settlements	$ 2,500,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	$ 2,300,000	$ 0	$ 2,286,000

XML

Commitments Purchase obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$ 367
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	$ 363

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues from continuing operations from three primary sources: (1) commercial products including, but not limited to, solar energy manufacturing equipment, solar energy systems and solar energy materials; (2) biomedical processing services; and (3) United States government funded research and development contracts.

The Company generally recognizes product revenue upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met at the time of shipment when the risk of loss and title passes to the customer.

The Company's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) capital equipment solar energy business builds complex customized machines to order for specific customers.  Most orders are sold on a FOB Bedford, Massachusetts (or EX-Works Factory) basis and other orders are sold on a Carriage and Insurance Paid (or CIP), or on rare situations, a Delivery Duty Unpaid (or DDU) basis. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for this equipment when title of the product has passed to the customer, provided that customer acceptance is obtained prior to shipment and the equipment is expected to operate the same in the customer's environment as it does in the Company's environment.  When an arrangement with the customer includes future obligations or customer acceptance, revenue is recognized when those obligations are met or customer acceptance has been achieved.  Typically, the Company is able to separate arrangements with multiple elements into more than one unit of accounting as it relates to the passage of title, training and installation services when no right of return exists. The Company allocates total fees under contract to each element using the relative selling price method and revenue is recognized upon delivery of each element. The Company'smanagement performs extensive analysis to determine the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. The Company allocates revenue in arrangements using its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") nor third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price exists.  The Company determines estimated selling price ("ESP") of each deliverable based on a number of factors, including internal costs, gross margin targetsandhistorical sales of similar units, as well as external factors such as market and competitive conditions.

The Company's solar systems business provides photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these systems when title passes, the customer accepts the system installation and interconnection to the grid is achieved.

The Company's solar materials business supplies photovoltaic materials under a United States government contact.  It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues for these materials as title passes and the government accepts the materials.

The Company's biomedical business provides advanced medical device surface treatment processes for performance improvement of orthopedic devices. It is the Company's policy to recognize revenues from these services when services are provided to the customer.

The Company recognizes revenues and estimated profits on long-term government contracts on a percent complete basis where the circumstances are such that total profit can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and ultimate realization is reasonably assured. The Company records revenue and profit utilizing the percentage of completion method using a cost-to-cost methodology. A percentage of the contract revenues and estimated profits is determined utilizing the ratio of costs incurred to date to total estimated cost to complete on a contract by contract basis. Profit estimates are revised periodically based upon changes in facts, and any losses on contracts are recognized immediately. Some of the contracts include provisions to withhold a portion of the contract value as retainage until such time as the United States government performs an audit of the cost incurred under the contract.  The Company's policy is to take into revenue the full value of the contract, including any retainage, as it performs against the contract since the Company has not experienced any substantial losses as a result of audits performed by the United States government.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.  Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, and at times may exceed federally insured limits.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had restricted cash in the amount of $21 thousand to secure the Company's obligations under a purchase and sale agreement.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Available-for-Sale Investments

Available-for-sale investments consist of assets held as part of the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. These investments have been classified as available-for-sale investments and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The unrealized gain on these marketable securities was $222 thousand and $201 thousand as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis.  Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers.  Historical inventory usage, forecasted demand and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventory. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, as follows:

Equipment under capital lease	Lesser of 5 years or remaining life of lease
Machinery and equipment	5 and 7 years
Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment	3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of 10 years or remaining life of lease

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and betterments are added to property and equipment accounts at cost

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangible and Other Assets

Patents amounted to $111 thousand and $137 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $822 thousand and $767 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Licenses amounted to $60 thousand and $65 thousand, net of accumulated amortization of $15 thousand and $10 thousand, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Patent cost is primarily composed of cost associated with securing and registering patents that the Company has been awarded or that have been submitted to, and the Company believes will be approved by the government. License cost is composed of the cost to acquire rights to the underlying technology or know-how. These costs are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives or terms, ordinarily five years, using the straight-line method. There are no expected residual values related to these patents. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $99 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 which includes $38 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year. Amortization expense from continuing operations, relating to patents and licenses, was approximately $228 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2011 which includes $160 thousand of patents pending that were abandoned and written-off during the year.

The table below includes future amortization expense for patents and licenses owned by the Company as well as estimated amortization expense related to patents that remain pending at December 31, 2012 of $68 thousand. This estimated expense for patents pending assumes that the patents are issued immediately, and therefore are being amortized over five years on a straight-line basis. Estimated amortization expense for the period ending December 31, is as follows:

(in thousands)	Amortization Expense
2013	$	68
2014	60
2015	36
2016	22
2017	19
2018 and future	34
	$	239

Also included in other assets are refundable deposits made by the Company of approximately $154 thousand and $163 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification 360-10-5-4, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-5-4 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company measures recoverability of assets and /or asset groups to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset and/or asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset and/or asset groups. If such assets and/or asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets and/or asset groups exceed the fair value of the assets. The Company reports assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company evaluated long-lived assets for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and determined that the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows of the assets and/or asset groups exceeded the carrying amount of the assets for both years.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, the Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  The Company evaluates this tax position on a quarterly basis using a two-step process.  The first step is a determination of whether the tax position should be recognized in the financial statements and the second step is the measurement of the tax position.  The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense, related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company’s evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the tax years which remain subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax jurisdictions

Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Warranty

The Company provides warranties on certain of its products and services. The Company’s warranty programs are described below:

Spire Solar generally warrants solar manufacturing equipment sold for a total of 360 days, which include the replacement of defective component parts and the labor to correct the defect. On occasion, extended warranties will be given to certain customers of solar manufacturing equipment for up to an additional 360 days.

Spire Biomedical warrants that its services will meet the agreed upon specifications.

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties, determined primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized.  Should actual product failure warranties differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.  Product warranty liabilities are included in accrued liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  The changes in the product warranties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	894
Provision charged to income	507
Usage	(588		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	813
Reduction to reserve	(63		)
Usage	(278		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	472

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Internal Research and Development Costs     

Internal research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Company funded research and development costs were approximately $233 thousand and $776 thousand, respectively

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share gives effect to all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. The Company did not pay any dividends in 2012 and 2011

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Besides the reported net loss, other comprehensive loss includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of an unrealized gain of available-for-sale investments of approximately $21 thousand and an unrealized loss of available-for-sale investments of approximately $245 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of stock option grants. ASC 718 requires the fair value of all share-based awards that are expected to vest to be recognized in the statements of operations over the service or vesting period of each award. The Company uses the straight-line method of attributing the value of share-based compensation expense for all stock option grants over the requisite service period

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  The significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, reserves for doubtful accounts, the assessment of excess and obsolete inventory, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes and warranty reserves.  Actual results could differ from those estimates

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments of the Company include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revolving line of credit and capital leases. The Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2012 also include available-for-sale investments measured at fair value. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements

Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency

The Company sells almost exclusively in U.S. dollars, generally against an irrevocable confirmed letter of credit through a major United States bank. Accordingly, the Company is not directly affected by foreign exchange fluctuations on its current sales orders. However, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have an effect on the Company’s customers’ access to U.S. dollars and on the pricing competition on certain pieces of equipment that the Company sells in selected markets.  The Company bears the risk of any currency fluctuations that may be associated with these commitments.  The Company attempts to hedge known transactions when possible to minimize foreign exchange risk.  The Company had no hedging activity in 2012 and 2011. Foreign exchange gain (loss) included in other expense, net was a loss of approximately $7 thousand and a gain of approximately $8 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Information

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, requires public entities to report certain information about operating segments. Based on the guidance provided in ASC 280, the Company has determined that its business is conducted in three reportable segments: solar, biomedical and corporate

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 855, Subsequent Events. Through the date of this filing, the Company did not have any material subsequent events that impacted its consolidated financial statements or disclosures

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Standards

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 ("ASU 2011-11"), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The update requires companies to disclose information about financial instruments that have been offset and related arrangements to enable users of their financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial position. Companies will be required to provide both net (offset amounts) and gross information in the notes to the financial statements for relevant assets and liabilities that are offset. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 ("ASU 2011-05"), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, entities must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012, which only changed the manner of comprehensive income presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 ("ASU 2011-12"), Comprehensive Income: Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 deferred the effective date of the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. As part of this update, the FASB did not defer the requirement to report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect the application of this update to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, an amendment to FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The update revises the application of the valuation premise of highest and best use of an asset, the application of premiums and discounts for fair value determination, as well as the required disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measures and the highest and best use of nonfinancial assets. The update provides additional disclosures regarding Level 3 fair value measurements and clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited. The Company applied this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and the application of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements

XML

Income (loss) Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	8,579,027	8,386,188
Add: Net additional common shares upon assumed exercise of common stock options	0	0
Adjusted weighted average number of common and common equivalents shares outstanding - diluted	8,579,027	8,386,188
In Money Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,490	1,950
Underwater Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	624,446	773,107

XML

Operating Segments and Related Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Operating Segments and Related Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

The following table presents certain operating division information in accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

(in thousands)	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2012
Net sales and revenues	$	15,255		$	6,855	$	—	$	22,110
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,280		)	677		—		(6,603		)
Total assets	7,757			1,499		6,651		15,907
Capital expenditures	83			8		52		143
Depreciation and amortization	369			208		227		804
Share-based compensation	61			43		98		202
	Spire Solar			Spire Biomedical		Corporate		Total Company
December 31, 2011
Net sales and revenues	$	50,957		$	7,785	$	—	$	58,742
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,346		)	1,503		—		(843		)
Total assets	11,229			1,787		8,475		21,491
Capital expenditures	90			—		107		197
Depreciation and amortization	355			356		328		1,039
Share-based compensation	129			45		171		345

Revenues By Geography [Table Text Block]

The following table shows net sales and revenues by geographic area (based on customer location) for the years ended December 31:

(in thousands)	2012		%		2011		%
United States	$	10,436	47	%	$	29,827	51	%
Asia	7,971		36	%	21,666		37	%
Europe / Africa	3,628		17	%	5,258		9	%
Rest of the world	75		—	%	1,991		3	%
	$	22,110	100	%	$	58,742	100	%

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Employee Benefit Plans (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Profit Sharing Plans [Abstract]

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

Profit Sharing Plan

In 1985, the Company adopted a profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows employees to defer up to 17.5% of their income up to certain dollar limits on a pretax basis through contributions to the plan.  The Company began discretionary matching contributions starting September 2008.  The Company’s matching contributions were approximately $155 thousand and $151 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Roger Little, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (the “Participant”).  Under this Plan, the Company makes equal monthly contributions to the Spire Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Trust (the “Trust”) up to the annually required amount of $250 thousand. The Company records these contributions as selling, general and administrative expense when made. The Trustee makes all investment decisions for the Trust on behalf of the Participant. The Company has not guaranteed a return on investment for the Participant, however, all earnings and losses on the Plan assets are borne by the Participant. All contributions and earnings are fully vested to the Participant when made but are subject to the Company’s creditors in the event of bankruptcy.  As a result, the assets held in the Plan have been recorded as available-for-sale investments in the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding liability being recorded as deferred compensation. Unrealized gains and losses on the available-for-sale investments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. A corresponding entry to deferred compensation is made to increase (decrease) the amounts due the Participant resulting from the changes in the asset value with an offsetting charge or credit to selling, general and administrative expense.  

On November 17, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Plan for the Participant to permit the Participant to elect, subject to Compensation Committee approval, to receive all or any part of the deferred portion of the Participant's compensation under the Plan in shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of cash. The number of shares to be issued in lieu of such deferred compensation shall be equal to the dollar amount that would otherwise be credited to the Plan divided by the closing sale price per share of common stock on the date on which the Compensation Committee approves the Participant's election. The shares shall be issued under, and be subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of, the Company's 2007 Stock Equity Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The Plan permits one election to be made with respect to accumulated deferred compensation for 2010 and 2011 and, commencing in 2012, elections shall be made on a quarterly basis. All such elections shall be subject to and be contingent upon approval of the Compensation Committee. On November 17, 2011, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $500 thousand for 2010 and 2011 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.78), is equal to approximately 641,025 shares. On June 21, 2012, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $63 thousand for the third quarter of 2012 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.69), is equal to approximately 90,580 shares. On August 16, 2012, the Participant elected to receive aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $63 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2012 in shares of common stock (and the Compensation Committee approved such election), which, based on the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on such date ($0.55), is equal to approximately 113,636 shares. Because of limitations on awards under the 2007 Plan, the Trust was issued 200,000 of such shares, valued at approximately $156 thousand and issued 500,000 of such shares, valued at approximately $384 thousand, in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The remaining aggregate accumulated deferred compensation of $84 thousand will be settled through the issuance of additional shares in 2013 and is recorded in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Compensation expense from continuing operations was approximately $250 thousand and $250 thousand in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Accrued compensation expense related to the Plan was $209 thousand and $344 thousand at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.