Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $220 and $313 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Accounts receivable, net Trade receivables Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Professional fees Other accumulated comprehensive income Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Shares held in treasury Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Change to allowance for doubtful accounts Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Common stock equivalents excluded from calculation because effect would have been anti-dilutive (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Impairment on fixed assets Asset Impairment Charges Total assets Assets Current assets: Current assets: ASSETS ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Basis of Presentation Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock [Member] Common stock - $0.001 par value; 40,000 and 30,000 shares authorized; 23,149 and 19,452 issued and 23,082 and 19,388 outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Common Stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Comprehensive income (loss): Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss): Cost of product revenue Total cost of goods sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of service and other revenue Cost of goods sold: Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Description of variable rate basis Revolving Line of Credit [Abstract] Revolving Line of Credit Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Minimum prime interest rate (in hundredths) Maturity date Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Depreciation expense Basic and dilutive: [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net income (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share) Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share) Net income (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share) Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract] Translation gain (loss) on subsidiaries in foreign currencies Compensation, severance and benefits Stock Options [Member] Employee Stock Option [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Gain on disposal of fixed assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment General and administrative Gross profit Gross Profit Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Domain] Guarantor Obligations [Line Items] Performance guarantees outstanding to customers Guarantees [Abstract] Guarantees Guarantees [Text Block] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts payable Long term liabilities Accrued expenses Deferred revenue Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash for Operating Activities Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Dilutive effect of employee stock options and restricted stock awards (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Inventories, net Inventories Inventory, Net Finished goods Inventory [Abstract] Inventories Work in process Raw materials Building lease expiry date Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Line of Credit Facility [Abstract] Total Outstanding Debt Long-term Line of Credit Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility Inventory Borrowing Rates [Line Items] Current borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility [Table] Revolving line of credit Less: current portion of debt Long term debt, less current portion Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Changes in warranty liability [Roll Forward] Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Net Loss Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net loss Financing activities Investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Operating activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Other income (expense), net Operating expenses: Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Income (loss) from Operations Operating Income (Loss) Significant Accounting Policies and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Abstract] Net translation loss on foreign subsidiaries Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Deposits and other Long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Prime Rate [Member] Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Performance Guarantee [Member] Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock - $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares) Prepaid expenses and other Proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of issuance costs Proceeds from employee stock purchases Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Warranty liability included in accrued expenses Warranty liability Long-term warranty liability Warranty accrual at end of period Property and equipment, net Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Receivables [Abstract] Receivables Research and development Money-market funds for which the fair value was determined Restricted Cash [Abstract] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted cash Accumulated deficit Accumulated Deficit [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Revenue Recognition [Abstract] Revenue Recognition Revolving Line of Credit [Member] Purchase price per share (in dollars per share) Product revenue Total revenue Revenue, Net Revenues: Service and other revenue Changes in warranty liability Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Loan and Security Agreement Accrued Expenses Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Computation of basic and diluted net (income) loss per share Schedule of inventory Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Accounts receivables Selling and marketing Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Shares held in treasury (in shares) Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Warranty charges incurred Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Payments Warranty expense Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Warranties Issued Beginning Balance Ending Balance Standard Product Warranty Accrual Warranty Liability Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) [Abstract] Employee stock option exercises Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Release of Restricted Stock (in shares) Employee stock option exercises (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Release of Restricted Stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Additional shares of common stock sold (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' equity: Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Taxes Translation gain (loss) on subsidiaries denominated in foreign currencies Translation Adjustment Functional to Reporting Currency, Loss (Gain), Reclassified to Earnings, Net of Tax Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Axis] Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares) Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share, basic (in shares) Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share, diluted (in shares) Weighted-average shares for diluted net income per share (in shares) Disclosure of accounting policy for accrued expenses. Accrued Expenses [Policy Text Block] Accrued Expenses The length of extension of the agreement on the revolving credit facility. Extension of Loan Facility Term Extension of loan facility term Amount of additional borrowing base under the credit facility. Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Base Additional borrowing base Maximum borrowing limit under the credit facility agreement related to eligible inventory and purchase orders. Borrowing Base Sublimits Inventory and Purchase Orders Borrowing Base Sublimits Inventory and Purchase Orders The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR. Basis of spread borrowing base eligible prime interest rate for accounts, inventory and purchase order Basis of spread borrowing base eligible prime interest rate for accounts, inventory and purchase order (in hundredths) The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR. Basis of spread borrowing base not eligible accounts Basis of spread borrowing base not eligible accounts (in hundredths) The amount of professional fees paid related to the issuance of stock. Professional fees related to issuance of stock The amount of commissions and fees paid related to the issuance of stock. Commissions and fees related to issuance of stock Equity impact of the value of private placement stock offering under a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stock Issued During Period, Value, Private Placement Sale of common stock, net of issuance costs Number of private placement stocks issued under a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Private Placement Sale of common stock, net of issuance costs (in shares) Refers to the deposit amount outstanding for building lease. Deposit guarantees outstanding for building lease Interest related to total debt, bank fees and issuance fees, less interest income. Interest Expense Net Interest expense, net The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity and for supplemental balance sheet disclosures, including descriptions and amounts for assets, liabilities, and equity. Significant Accounting Policies and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Warranty Liability [Abstract] The extended maximum products warranty period from date of shipment to primary OEM customer. Extended products warranty period from date of shipment to primary OEM customer, Maximum The standard power quality products warranty period from date of commissioning. Standard power quality products warranty period from date of commissioning The standard products warranty period from date of shipment to end user for primary OEM customer. Standard products warranty period for primary OEM customer Under a multiple element arrangement, the maximum period over which extended maintenance agreements (EMAs), consumables, and repair and maintenance or consulting services generally are delivered. EMAs, consumables, repair, maintenance and consulting services general deliverable period, maximum The minimum number of products included in the entity's most significant MEAs related to first tier products. Minimum number of first tier products included in significant MEAs Minimum number of CleanSource UPS or PowerHouse products included in significant MEAs The minimum number of products included in the entity's most significant multiple element arrangements (MEAs) related to second tier products. Second tier products include design services, project management, commissioning and installation services, spare parts or consumables, and extended maintenance agreements. Minimum number of second tier products included in significant MEAs The number of criteria that must be met for the company to recognize revenue. Number of criteria to be met for revenue recognition The standard power quality products warranty period from date of shipment. Standard power quality products warranty period from date of shipment Under a multiple element arrangement, the typical period subsequent to product delivery during which commissioning and installation takes place. Commissioning and installation period Under a multiple element arrangement, the minimum period over which extended maintenance agreements (EMAs), consumables, and repair and maintenance or consulting services generally are delivered. EMAs, consumables, repair, maintenance and consulting services general deliverable period, minimum Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability for adjustments made (in cash or in kind) to satisfy claims under the terms of the standard product warranty. Does not include any Increase or Decrease in the liability for adjustments related to extended product warranties. Adjustments Basis of Presentation [Abstract] The cash outflow associated with the payment of taxes related to the settlement of equity awards. Payments For Taxes Related To Settlement of Equity Awards Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards The cash outflow for cost incurred directly for shelf registration. Payments Of Stock Issuance Costs Shelf Registration Issuance costs, shelf registration Document and Entity Information [Abstract]