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Related party transactions (Details) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
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Mar. 31, 2014
sqft
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Sep. 30, 2014
company
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Sep. 30, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Mar. 14, 2013
Prepayment from Related Party for Future Purchases [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Prepayment from Related Party for Future Purchases [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Convertible debentures
Common stock
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Jan. 06, 2014
Demand notes
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Mar. 31, 2014
Affiliated companies
Sublease under operating leased assets
Office space and warehouse facilities
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Mar. 31, 2013
Affiliated companies
Sublease under operating leased assets
Office space and warehouse facilities
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Oct. 20, 2009
Affiliated companies
American DG Energy
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Mar. 31, 2014
Affiliated companies
American DG Energy
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Mar. 31, 2013
Affiliated companies
American DG Energy
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Dec. 31, 2013
Affiliated companies
American DG Energy
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Sep. 30, 2014
Member of board of directors
American DG Energy
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Sep. 30, 2014
Member of board of directors
Ilois
|
Mar. 31, 2014
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Mar. 26, 2014
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Mar. 25, 2013
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Oct. 03, 2013
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
Demand notes
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Nov. 30, 2012
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
Demand notes
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Sep. 07, 2011
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
Demand notes
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Sep. 10, 2008
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
Demand notes
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Sep. 30, 2014
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
American DG Energy
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Dec. 31, 2013
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
Convertible debentures
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Dec. 31, 2013
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
Convertible debentures
Common stock
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Dec. 31, 2013
Michaelson Capital Special Finance Fund LP. [Member]
Convertible debentures
Common stock
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Sep. 30, 2014
Investor
Ilois
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Jan. 06, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 25, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Jan. 06, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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Mar. 25, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Chief Executive Officer (John N. Hatsopoulos)
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| Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of affiliated companies | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party ownership percentage | 13.50% | 6.80% | 19.80% | 6.40% | 2.70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party transactions agreement term | 5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party transactions agreement term, renewal period | 1 year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | $ 450,000 | $ 300,000 | $ 750,000 | $ 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related party debt, stated interest rate | 6.00% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 5.00% | 4.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Term | 3 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion price in usd per share | $ 5.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Issuance Cost | 147,577 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, amount converted | 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion, number of shares issued | 185.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Officers' compensation | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working capital line of credit with related party | 3,500,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding | 1,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of time spent on company affairs | 50.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sublease rental | 153,689 | 158,099 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Headquarters consisting of office and storage space (in square feet) | 43,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from related parties | 792,827 | 546,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due to related party | 0 | 119,667 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due from related party | (125,069) | (119,667) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepayments received from related party | 827,747 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate on related party prepaid purchases | 6.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of convertible debentures, related party | 3,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuable upon conversion | 555,556 | 555,556 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand notes payable and line of credit, related party | 0 | 3,000,000 | 1,750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Paid | 294,219 | 7,235 | 175,311 | 25,347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Party Transaction, Investment in Stock | $ 2,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Party Transaction, Shares Purchased by Related Party | 444,445 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Party Transaction, Shares Purchased by Related Party, Price Per Share | $ 4.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||