Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Jan. 31, 2011
Numerator [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (9,997)	$ (5,814)	$ (7,629)	$ (11,879)	$ (11,519)	$ (10,010)	$ (8,363)	$ (6,014)	$ (35,319)		$ (35,906)		$ (45,974)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									961		411		261
Adjustment for Modification of Redeemable Preferred Stock of Subsidiary								0	0		0		(8,987)
Dividends, Preferred Stock	(800)	(800)	(800)	(800)	(800)	(800)	(801)	(800)	(3,200)		(3,201)		(3,200)
Net loss to common shareholders	$ (10,500)	$ (6,412)	$ (8,165)	$ (12,481)	$ (12,138)	$ (10,722)	$ (9,093)	$ (6,743)	$ (37,558)		$ (38,696)		$ (57,900)
Demoninator [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									186,525,001		165,471,261		124,498,073
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted								165,471,261	186,525,001		165,471,261		124,498,073
Earnings Per Share, Basic									$ (0.20)		$ (0.23)		$ (0.47)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted									$ (0.20)	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ (0.47)	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	3,181,464				3,120,456				3,181,464		3,120,456		3,300,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	5,000,000								5,000,000						10,200,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	2.29								2.29

[1] Due to the net loss to common shareholders in each of the years presented above, diluted earnings per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Potentially dilutive instruments include stock options, warrants, convertible preferred stock and convertible notes. At October 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there were options to purchase 3.2 million, 3.1 million and 3.3 million shares of common stock, respectively. On September 4, 2013, the Company entered into a co-marketing agreement with NRG for the marketing and sales of the Company's power plants which include the issuance of warrants to purchase up to 5.0 million shares of the Company's common stock. On January 13, 2011 we issued 10.2 million warrants in connection with a registered direct offering. Each warrant was exercisable for 1 share of common stock. The warrants had an exercise price of $2.29 per share and were exercisable beginning six months and one day after the initial closing date and expired in the fourth quarter of 2012.