Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Nature of business and operations (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Nature of business and operations (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
May 11, 2009
Dec. 31, 2012
segment
May 11, 2009
Ilios
stockholder
May 04, 2009
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2012
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2011
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2010
Ilios
Jan. 19, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to accredited investors
Jul. 24, 2009
Ilios
Private placement to accredited investors
Dec. 31, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to accredited investors
Dec. 28, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 29, 2011
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Jun. 03, 2011
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 31, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 31, 2011
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Sale of Stock By Subsidiary [Line Items]                              
Investment in subsidiary       $ 8,400                      
Number of shares of subsidiary common stock received by the Company       8,400,000                      
Number of shares of subsidiary common stock sold by the Company     1,400,000                        
Subsidiary common stock sold by the Company, price in usd per share     $ 0.50                        
Number of stockholders who purchased the subsidiary shares     2                        
Extinguishment of demand notes payable, convertible debentures and accrued interest 700,000                            
Subsidiary sale of stock, shares               1,000,000 2,710,000   1,000,000 1,000,000 500,000    
Subsidiary sale of stock, price in usd per share                 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50
Proceeds received by subsidiary for issuance of stock               $ 500,000 $ 1,352,500   $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 250,000    
The Company's ownership percentage in subsidiary         65.00% 67.40% 63.00%                
Number of Operating Segments   1