Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Noncontrolling interests (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Noncontrolling interests (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2012
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2011
Ilios
Dec. 31, 2013
Ilios
Private placement to accredited investors
Jul. 24, 2009
Ilios
Private placement to accredited investors
Dec. 31, 2013
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 31, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 28, 2012
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Dec. 29, 2011
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Jun. 03, 2011
Ilios
Private placement to Tecogen
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]                        
The Company's ownership percentage in subsidiary     65.00% 67.40% 63.00%              
Subsidiary cumulative number of shares sold           1,000,000   1,000,000        
Subsidiary sale of stock, price in usd per share           $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50 $ 0.50
Subsidiary aggregate proceeds from stock transactions           $ 500,000   $ 500,000 $ 750,000      
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]                        
Net loss attributable to Tecogen Inc. (3,449,489) (1,636,957)                    
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interest                        
Decrease in Tecogen's paid-in capital for purchase of 1,000,000 Ilios common shares 0 (174,958)                    
Increase in Tecogen's paid-in capital upon the sale of 1,000,000 Ilios common shares 0 289,606                    
Net transfers to noncontrolling interest 0 114,648                    
Change from net loss attributable to Tecogen Inc. and transfers to noncontrolling interest $ (3,449,489) $ (1,522,309)