Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock-based compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details)

v3.3.0.814
Stock-based compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2015
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]          
Exercise Price Per Share, Expired (per share)   $ 0.00      
Tecogen          
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]          
Beginning (shares)   1,356,325      
Granted (shares)   160,000      
Exercised (shares)   (222,375)      
Canceled and forfeited (shares)   (28,750)      
Expired (shares)   0      
Ending (shares)   1,265,200      
Exercisable (shares)   776,619      
Vested and expected to vest (shares)   1,165,200      
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]          
Beginning (usd per share)   $ 2.77      
Granted (usd per share)   3.43      
Exercised (usd per share)   1.62      
Canceled and forfeited (usd per share)   2.45      
Expried (usd per share)   0.00      
Ending (usd per share)   3.06      
Exercisable (usd per share)   2.30      
Vested and expected to vest (usd per share)   $ 2.90      
Weighted Average Remaining Life   6 years 3 months 5 years 1 month 12 days    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]          
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value   $ 955,919     $ 3,618,935
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value   935,747      
Vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value   $ 955,919      
Minimum | Tecogen          
Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]          
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding (per share) $ 1.2     $ 1.20  
Exercise Price Per Share, Granted (per share)   $ 1.20      
Exercise Price Per Share, Cancelled and forfeited (per share)       1.2  
Maximum | Tecogen          
Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]          
Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding (per share) $ 5.39     5.39  
Exercise Price Per Share, Granted (per share)   $ 2.60      
Exercise Price Per Share, Cancelled and forfeited (per share)       $ 4.50