Lime Energy (LMEC) 10-K 31 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	LIME ENERGY CO.
Entity Central Index Key	1065860
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$8,094,526
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,526,636
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,473	$6,940	$2,012
Restricted cash	500	500
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,794 and $1,824 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	11,820	9,151
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	7,407	6,625
Prepaid expenses and other	619	255
Current assets of discontinued operations	613	3,442
Total Current Assets	26,608	26,913
Inventories	176
Property and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,463 and $2,732 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (Note 8)	1,470	1,562
Long-Term Receivables	710	296
Deferred Financing Costs, net of accumulated amortization of $108 and $0 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	22
Goodwill (Note 9)	6,009	6,009
Total Assets	34,819	34,780
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	13,341	15,835
Accrued expenses (Note 10)	1,245	2,907
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	705	1,711
Customer deposits	512	72
Other current liabilities	11	3,236
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	806	3,245
Total Current Liabilities	16,620	27,006
Total Liabilities	16,620	27,006
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 9,460,090 and 3,667,295 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1
Additional paid-in capital	208,916	205,489
Accumulated deficit	-200,351	-197,728
Total Stockholders' Equity	8,566	7,774	9,321
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	34,819	34,780
Series A Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock			9
Total Stockholders' Equity		9
Series B Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock			4
Total Stockholders' Equity		4
Series C Preferred Stock
Current Liabilities
Contingently redeemable Series C Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 10,000 shares authorized; 10,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	$9,633

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,794	$1,824
Property and Equipment, accumulated depreciation (in dollars)	3,463	2,732
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,460,090	9,460,090
Common stock, shares outstanding	3,667,295	3,667,295
Deferred Financing Costs, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$108	$0
Series A Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	957,624
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	957,624
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	401,232
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	401,232
Series C Preferred Stock
Redeemable preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Redeemable preferred stock, shares issued	10,000	0
Redeemable preferred stock, shares outstanding	10,000	0

Consolidated_Statement_of_Oper

Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Revenue	$58,816	$51,565
Cost of sales	41,162	37,758
Gross Profit	17,654	13,807
Selling, general and administrative expense	20,195	22,933
Amortization of intangibles		10
Operating loss	-2,541	-9,136
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income	100	51
Interest expense	-189	-2,052
Total other expense	-89	-2,001
Loss from continuing operations	-2,630	-11,137
Discontinued Operations:
Income (loss) from operation of discontinued business	7	-4,499
Net loss	-2,623	-15,636
Preferred dividends	-2,979	-2,875
Net loss available to common stockholders	($5,602)	($18,511)
Basic and diluted loss per common share from
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($1.44)	($3.90)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($1.25)
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	($1.44)	($5.15)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3) (in shares)	3,884,826	3,595,379

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Series A Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Total
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$191,413	($182,092)			$9,321
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	3,577
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Conversion of subordinated notes		6,755		7		6,762
Conversion of subordinated notes (in shares)				677
Issuance of preferred stock		6,494		2	4	6,500
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares)				250	400
Issuance costs		-40				-40
Preferred stock dividends		-326				-326
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock		326				326
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock (in shares)				31	1
Shares issued for benefit plans (in shares)	90
Share-based compensation		867				867
Net loss			-15,636			-15,636
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		205,489	-197,728	9	4	7,774
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	3,667			958	401
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Conversion of subordinated notes		1,048				1,048
Conversion of subordinated notes (in shares)	214
Issuance of preferred stock		1,998			2	2,000
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares)					200
Issuance costs		-11				-11
Warrants issued		101				101
Preferred stock dividends		-1,969				-1,969
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock		1,940		1	1	1,942
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock (in shares)				121	73
Conversion of Series A & B shares	1	16		-10	-7
Conversion of Series A & B shares (in shares)	5,467			-1,079	-674
Shares issued for benefit plans		8				8
Shares issued for benefit plans (in shares)	112
Share-based compensation		296				296
Net loss			-2,623			-2,623
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1	$208,916	($200,351)			$8,566
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	9,460

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Income (Loss)	($2,623)	($15,636)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Provision for bad debt	761	886
Share-based compensation	296	867
Depreciation and amortization	731	1,017
Amortization of original issue discount		1,439
Amortization of deferred financing costs	108	250
PIK notes issued for interest	48	575
Preferred stock dividends	-27	-326
Asset impairment		27
Loss (Gain) on disposition of fixed assets		59
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	-3,844	-555
Inventories	-176	17
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	-782	-3,298
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-364	226
Assets of discontinued operations	2,829	2,236
Accounts payable	-2,494	10,125
Accrued expenses	-1,662	331
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-1,006	205
Customer deposits and other current liabilities	-2,785	-2,003
Liabilities of discontinued operations	-2,439	523
Net cash used in operating activities	-13,429	-3,035
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of businesses		5,483
Purchases of property and equipment	-638	-573
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-638	4,910
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Payments of long-term debt		-3,407
Debt issuance costs	-20
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	12,000	6,500
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes	1,000
Costs related to preferred stock issuances	-380	-40
Net cash provided by financing activities	12,600	3,053
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-1,467	4,928
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at beginning of period	6,940	2,012
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at end of period	5,473	6,940
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Preferred dividends satisfied through issuance of preferred stock	1,942	326
Value of subordinated notes and accrued interest converted to preferred stock	1,048	6,762
Warrants issued with letter of credit	101
Cash paid during the period for interest:
Continuing operations	13
Discontinued operations		$168

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business
Description of Business
	Note 1 — Description of Business
	Lime Energy Co. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, is a provider of energy efficiency solutions for small businesses under utility demand side management programs.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
	Note 2 — Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lime Energy Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in active discussions to sell its Public Sector business and ultimately came to terms with a buyer and closed on the sale of this business on February 28, 2013. It also shut down its Asset Development business (excluding GES-Port Charlotte) effective December 31, 2012, sold GES-Port Charlotte effective November 1, 2013, its regional HVAC service business effective November 6, 2013 and its rights under its contract with the Army Corps of Engineers effective December 31, 2013. The operating results and associated assets and liabilities of these businesses have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Concentration of Risk
	The Company’s customers are primarily utilities and their small business customers.  During 2014 and 2013, revenue generated under four utility programs represented 78% and 75% of the Company’s consolidated revenue, respectively.
	The Company purchases its materials from a variety of suppliers and continues to seek out alternate suppliers for critical components so that it can be assured that its sales will not be interrupted by the inability of a single supplier to deliver product.  During 2014, two suppliers were responsible for 48% and 13% of the Company’s purchases, respectively, while during 2013 two suppliers were responsible for 41% and 12% of the Company’s purchases, respectively.
	The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company monitors the financial stability of these institutions regularly and management does not believe there is significant credit risk associated with deposits in excess of federally insured amounts.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that it believes to be uncollectible.  If actual collections experience changes, revisions to the allowance may be required.  After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.  Based on the information available to it, the Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. However, actual write-offs might exceed the recorded allowance.
	The following is a summary of changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014			2013
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$	1,824		$	960
	Additions charged to costs and expenses	761			886
	Amounts written-off	(791		)	(22		)
	Balance at the end of the period	$	1,794		$	1,824
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined utilizing the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
	Properties & Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost.  For financial reporting purposes depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Building Improvements	3 - 10 years
	Office equipment	3 - 5 years
	Furniture	5 - 10 years
	Transportation equipment	3 - 5 years
	Software	3 – 5 years
	Long-Lived Assets
	We evaluate our long-lived assets periodically for impairment in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those items. Our cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value. Our estimates of fair value represent our best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of the fair value of assets acquired in business combinations.  Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires the Company to assess goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually in the absence of an indicator of possible impairment and immediately upon an indicator of possible impairment.  During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company undertook an assessment of its goodwill for possible impairment and concluded that the fair value of the continuing business, based on the discounted current value of the estimated future cash flows, exceeded the carrying value, indicating that the goodwill was not impaired.
	The Company considered various factors in determining the fair value of its business, including discounted cash flows from projected earnings, values for comparable companies and the market price of its common stock. It will continue to monitor for any impairment indicators such as underperformance of projected earnings, net book value compared to market capitalization, declining stock price and significant adverse economic and industry trends.  In the event that the business does not achieve projected results, or as the result of changes in facts of circumstances, the Company could incur an additional goodwill impairment charge in a future period.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all four of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence has been received that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery of the products and/or services has occurred; (iii) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.  In addition, the Company follows the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, which sets forth guidelines in the timing of revenue recognition based upon factors such as passage of title, installation, payments and customer acceptance.  Any amounts billed prior to satisfying the Company’s revenue recognition criteria is recorded as “Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts” (“Billings in Excess”) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Billings in Excess totaled $0.7 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company utilizes the percentage of completion method to recognize revenue in conjunction with the cost-to-cost method of measuring the extent of progress toward completion, consistent with ASC 605-35, “Construction Type and Production Type Contracts” and the AICPA’s Statement of Position 81-1 (SOP 81-1).  Any anticipated losses on contracts are charged to operations as soon as they are determinable.
	Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had customer projects underway for which it had recognized revenue but not yet invoiced the customer.  The Company records this unbilled revenue as a current asset titled “Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts.” The Company had Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts of $7.4 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Other Liabilities
	In December 2012, one of the Company’s major suppliers agreed to allow it to pay for approximately $5.3 million worth of purchases over a 23 month period.  The balance of this liability was $0 and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and has been included in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Costs
	Expenditures on advertising, marketing and promotions are charged to operations in the period incurred and totaled $161,000 and $152,000 for the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable earnings.  Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized.
	Net Loss Per Share
	The Company computes loss per share under ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share.”  This statement requires presentation of two amounts; basic and diluted loss per share.  Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share would include all common stock equivalents unless anti-dilutive.  For periods when such inclusion would not be anti-dilutive, the Company uses the treasury method to calculate the diluted earnings per share.  The treasury stock method assumes that the Company uses the proceeds from the exercise of in-the-money options and warrants to repurchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Options and warrants are only dilutive when the average market price of the underlying common stock exceeds the exercise price of the options or warrants.
	The Company has not included the outstanding options, warrants, preferred stock or convertible debt as common stock equivalents when calculating the diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants and convertible debt that is not included in the basic and diluted loss per share available to common stockholders:
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options	331,662		469,625
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants	0		767,643
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred	4,166,666		655,599
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt	0		897,041
	Total	4,498,328		2,789,908
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these amounts.
	Share-based Compensation
	The Company has a stock incentive plan that provides for stock-based employee compensation, including the granting of stock options and shares of restricted stock, to certain key employees.  The Company follows the guidance of ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which requires companies to record stock compensation expense for equity-based awards granted, including stock options and restricted stock unit grants, over the service period of the equity-based award based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant.
	The following are the components of the Company’s stock compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		2014			2013
	Stock Options	$	(8	)	$	698
	Restricted Stock	287			169
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan	17			—
	Total Stock Compensation Expense	$	296		$	867
	Please refer to Notes 21, 22 and 23 for additional information regarding share-based compensation expense.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.”  The amendments in ASU 2014-08 change the criteria for reporting a discontinued operation and require new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.  Only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations.  This accounting standard update is effective for annual filings beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  Early adoption is permitted.  The impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-08 on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, cash flows and disclosures will be based on the Company’s future disposal activity.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers.” ASU 2014-09 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to for those goods or services using a defined five step process. More judgment and estimates may be required to achieve this principle than under existing U.S. GAAP.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect upon initial adoption recognized at the date of adoption which includes additional footnote disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and has not yet determined the method of adoption.
In August 2014, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and amended Subtopic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern”.   This amendment prescribes that an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.  The amendments will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017.  The Company is evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, the Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Sale_of_ESCO_Business

Sale of ESCO Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Sale of ESCO Business
Sale of ESCO Business
	Note 4 — Sale of ESCO Business
	On February 28, 2013, the Company sold its ESCO business to PowerSecure, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PowerSecure International, Inc. (“PowerSecure”).  The ESCO business, which represented the largest portion of the Company’s public sector business, designed, installed and maintained energy conservation measures, primarily as a subcontractor to large energy service company providers (“ESCOs”), for the benefit of public sector, commercial, industrial and institutional customers as end users.  The sale was structured as an asset sale.  The total purchase price for the assets sold was $4.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment, and the assumption of approximately $9.8 million of liabilities, comprising certain other debts, liabilities and obligations relating to the acquired business and assumed contracts.  After application of the working capital adjustment in accordance with the asset purchase agreement, the cash purchase price was approximately $1.9 million, subject to post-closing confirmation of the working capital adjustment, resulting in an effective purchase price, including the assumption of liabilities, of approximately $11.7 million.  In connection with the acquisition of the ESCO business, PowerSecure assumed certain unfinished contracts and projects in the acquired business, along with the accounts receivables and accounts payables associated with those projects.
	During the fourth quarter of 2012, utilizing the purchase price received for the sale of the ESCO business as an indication of its fair market value, the Company determined that its carrying value associated with the business exceeded the fair market value by approximately $3.2 million.  Accordingly, it reduced the carrying value to the fair market value, recording a $3.2 million impairment loss in the process.
	After adjusting the carrying value of the assets during the fourth quarter of 2012, the net carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the ESCO business was equal to the proceeds received for the sale of the business on February 28, 2013, therefore there was no gain or loss resulting from the sale recorded during the first quarter of 2013.  However, the asset purchase agreement required the Company, within 90 days of the closing, to provide to PowerSecure a final calculation of the net working capital of the ESCO business as of February 28, 2013 (“Closing Net Working Capital”).  To the extent that this calculation showed an increase in the Closing Net Working Capital from the amount estimated on the closing date, PowerSecure would owe the Company an amount equal to the increase and to the extent the Closing Net Working Capital was less than the amount estimated on the closing date, the Company would owe PowerSecure an amount equal to the reduction.  The calculation of the final Closing Net Working Capital was completed in August 2013 and it was determined that PowerSecure owed the Company an additional $128 thousand.  This additional consideration was included in income from discontinued operations during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

GESPort_Charlotte

GES-Port Charlotte	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
GES-Port Charlotte.
GES-Port Charlotte
	Note 5 — GES-Port Charlotte
	During 2010, the Company established Lime Energy Asset Development, LLC (“LEAD”), to develop, construct, operate and in certain situations own energy producing assets. On November 1, 2013, the Company sold GES-Port Charlotte (“GESPC”) to Green Gas Americas, Inc. (“Green Gas” or the “Buyer”). The sale was consummated pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated November 1, 2013, by and between LEAD, as the seller, and Green Gas, as the purchaser. The total purchase price paid for the membership interest was $3.3 million, less a $152,300 contribution on the part of LEAD toward the cost of wellfield improvements. The agreement also provided for a 5%, or $165,000, hold-back of the purchase price (the “Hold-Back”) to be held in escrow to cover the indemnification obligations of the LEAD and any additional pre-closing liabilities.  After application by the Buyer to obligations of LEAD, the balance of escrow was released on November 6, 2014.
	As part of the Purchase Agreement, Lime agreed to assume GESPC’s obligation to Florida Power and Light (“FP&L”) for the cost of completing an interconnect between GESPC’s facility and FP&L’s transmission system. This obligation totaled $400,000 as of November 1, 2013, and required monthly payments of $50,000 to FP&L.  The obligation was fully satisfied during the third quarter of 2014.
	The Company recognized a $27,000 loss on the sale of GESPC in 2013.  Upon the closing of the transaction, the Company repaid in full the term loan it used to fund the construction of the Zemel Road facility.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations.
Discontinued Operations
	Note 6 — Discontinued Operations
	As discussed in Note 4, the Company sold the majority of its public sector business on February 28, 2013 to PowerSecure.  During the third quarter of 2013, the Company’s board of directors authorized management to sell or dispose of GESPC, its contract with the Army Corp. of Engineers under the Federal Renewal and Renovation program (the FRR contract), and the regional service business located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  These businesses, along with the public sector business, which the Company exited in 2013, and Asset Development business, which the Company shut down at the end of 2012, have all been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.
	The revenue and loss related to discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Revenue	$	254	$	6,805
	Operating (Income) Loss	$	7	$	(4,499	)
	The assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Accounts receivable, net	$	404	$	2,423
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	209		1,019
	Total current assets	613		3,442
	Total Assets	$	613	$	3,442
	Accounts payable	$	672	$	2,240
	Accrued expenses	108		504
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	8		460
	Customer deposits	18		41
	Total current liabilities	806		3,245
	Total Liabilities	$	806	$	3,245

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
	Note 7 — Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Buildings & improvements	$	96		$	41
	Construction equipment	21			21
	Furniture	340			338
	Office equipment	970			855
	Software	3,177			2,710
	Transportation equipment	329			329
		4,933			4,294
	Less accumulated depreciation	(3,463		)	(2,732		)
		$	1,470		$	1,562
	Total depreciation expense was $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Included in this expense was depreciation from discontinued operations of $0.0 and $203 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Note 8 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations.  ASC 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, requires the Company to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually in the absence of an indicator of possible impairment and immediately upon an indicator of possible impairment.   The following is a summary of the Company’s goodwill (in thousands):
		Continuing
		Operations		Discontinued Operations
		Utility		AEM			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,009	$	5,337		$	11,346
	Sale of public sector	—		(5,337		)	(5,337		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	6,009	$	—		$	6,009
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	6,009	$	—		$	6,009

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses
Accrued Expenses
	Note 9 — Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses are comprised of the following (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Compensation	$	513	$	1,423
	Interest	20		—
	Job costs	199		73
	Rent	91		151
	Sales tax payable	119		1,184
	Taxes	—		71
	Preferred stock dividends	27		—
	Other	276		5
		$	1,245	$	2,907

Term_Loan

Term Loan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Term Loan.
Term Loan
	Note 10 — Term Loan
	On November 3, 2011, GES-Port Charlotte, LLC (“GESPC”), entered into a Loan Agreement with RBC Bank (USA) (“RBC”) (RBC was subsequently acquired by PNC Bank) under which GESPC borrowed $3.6 million (the “Loan Agreement”).  The Loan Agreement was to mature on, and all outstanding balances were due and payable on, October 31, 2016.  The Company sold GESPC on November 1, 2013, at which time it repaid the loan in full.
	The Company had entered into an interest rate swap to fix the interest rate on $1.9 million of the principal amount of the term loan at 6.56% through October 2016.  This interest rate swap was being carried at fair-market value on the Company’s books, with changes in value included in interest expense.  The swap was terminated on November 1, 2013, when the Company paid off the term loan.

Conversion_of_Subordinated_Deb

Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Series A Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Series A Preferred Stock
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Series A Preferred Stock
	Note 11 — Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Series A Preferred Stock
	On September 23, 2013, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Series A Purchase Agreement”) with a group of investors including Mr. Richard Kiphart, the Company’s Chairman and largest individual stockholder, and Mr. Christopher Capps, a member of its Board of Directors (collectively with the other investors, the “Investors”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Series A Purchase Agreement, the Investors purchased 926,223 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) at a price per Series A Preferred Share of $10.00.  The purchase price was paid with (a) $2,500,000 in cash and (b) the exchange of $6,779,950 (principal amount and accrued interest) of the Company’s Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Note (the “Notes”), representing all of the outstanding Notes.
	The Series A Preferred Shares were entitled to an accruing dividend of 12.5% per annum of their original issue price (subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations), payable semi-annually in arrears.  Such dividends shall be paid in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the original issue price (subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations) or, at the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors, in cash.  The Company accrued dividends of $1.2 million on the Series A Preferred Shares during 2014.  On June 30, 2014, the Company satisfied $594 thousand of preferred dividends through the issuance of Series A Preferred Shares.
	The Series A Preferred Shares may be converted at the election of the holder of such shares, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price which was initially equal to $3.78 per share (the “Conversion Price”).  The Conversion Price is to be proportionately adjusted for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations, and, subject to a floor of $3.50, shall be adjusted for future issuances of common stock (excluding certain issuances) at a price per share less than the Conversion Price on a broad based, weighted average basis.  The Company can require conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares under certain market conditions.  On December 30, 2013, as the result of the issuance of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Shares was reduced to $3.58 per share.  The Conversion Price was further reduced to $3.51 per share on February 4, 2014, when the Company issued additional shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock resulting in a $178 thousand non-cash deemed dividend.
	The Company may redeem all or a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares at its option subject to certain legal restrictions.  The redemption price for each Series A Preferred Share shall be its original issue price, subject to standard antidilution adjustment plus any accrued but unpaid dividends multiplied by a time-based factor.  If such notice is sent before the second anniversary of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, the factor shall be 102%, if thereafter but before the third such anniversary, the factor shall be 101% and thereafter, the factor shall be 100%.
	In connection with the entry into the Series A Purchase Agreement, the Company issued the Investors warrants to purchase 264,551 shares of its common stock at $3.78 per share (the “Series A Warrants”). These warrants expire on the fifth anniversary of their issuance and contain a cashless exercise option. In recording the transaction, the Company allocated the value of the proceeds to the Series A Preferred Shares and the Series A Warrants based on their relative fair values. In doing so, it determined that the Series A Preferred Shares contained a beneficial conversion feature worth $415,000. The value of the beneficial conversion feature, along with the value of the warrants, also determined to be $415,000, were both considered to be non-cash deemed dividends and were recorded to dividend expense, with an offsetting entry to additional paid in capital in the third quarter of 2013.
	The Series A Purchase Agreement requires that the Company seek stockholder approval of the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares and the exercise of the Series A Warrants on or before December 31, 2013. The Company did seek such approval at its annual meeting of stockholders held on December 3, 2013, at which time stockholders approved the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and the exercise of the Series A Warrants.
	The Company used the cash proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Shares for general corporate purposes.
	On December 23, 2014, in connection with the issuance of Series C Preferred Shares discussed in Note 14, all Series A Preferred Shares along with accrued dividends of $616 thousand were converted to 3,084,261 shares of Common Stock.  The Series A Warrants were cancelled upon the issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares.

Subordinated_Convertible_Term_

Subordinated Convertible Term Notes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
	Note 12 — Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
	2012 Notes:
	On October 22, 2012, the Company entered into a Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Sub Debt Purchase Agreement”) with a group of investors including Mr. Richard Kiphart, and Mr. Christopher Capps (collectively with the other investors, the “Holders”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Sub Debt Purchase Agreement, the Holders lent the Company $6,050,000 under a Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Note (the “Notes”).  The Notes had a term of five years, accrued interest at the rate of 12.5% per year, payable semi-annually at the Company’s election in cash or additional Notes.  On September 23, 2013, the Notes and all accrued interest were converted to shares of Series A Preferred Stock (see Note 11 for additional information regarding the Series A Preferred Stock).
	In connection with the entry into the Sub Debt Purchase Agreement, the Company issued the Holders warrants to purchase 644,991 shares of its common stock at $4.69 per share (the “Sub Debt Warrants”).  These warrants expire on the fifth anniversary of their issuance and contain a cashless exercise option.  The Company determined the value of the Sub Debt Warrants to be $1.4 million using a trinomial option pricing model.  The Sub Debt Warrants were cancelled upon the issuance of Series C Preferred Shares discussed in Note 14.
	In recording the transaction, the Company allocated the value of the proceeds to the Notes and Sub Debt Warrants based on their relative fair values.  In doing so, it determined that the Notes contained a beneficial conversion feature since the fair market value of the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes (determined on the Note issuance date) exceeded the value allocated to the Notes of $4,924,000.  The Notes were convertible into 1,179,912 shares of common stock, which at the market price of $4.48 per share on date of issuance of the Notes was worth $5,286,000.  The difference of $362 thousand between the market value of the shares issuable upon conversion and the value allocated to the Notes was considered to be the value of the beneficial conversion feature.
	The value of the beneficial conversion feature and the value of the warrants were recorded as a discount to the Notes, which was being amortized over the term of the Notes using the effective interest method.  Amortization of the discount of $132 thousand was included in interest expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013.  Upon the conversion of the Notes to preferred stock in September 2013, the remaining unamortized discount of $1.2 million was recorded to interest expense.
	The Company incurred costs of approximately $37 thousand to issue the Notes.  These costs were capitalized and were also being amortized over the term of the Notes using the effective interest method.  Amortization of the deferred issuance costs of $3 thousand was included in interest expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013.  Upon the conversion of the Notes to preferred stock in September 2013, the balance of the deferred issuance costs of $34 thousand was recorded to interest expense.
	The Company elected to pay the interest accrued through September 23, 2013, $712 thousand, in additional Notes.  The Notes issued in satisfaction of the accrued interest were also converted to shares of preferred stock on September 23, 2013 (see Note 8 for additional information regarding the Series A preferred stock).
	2014 Notes:
	On August 4, 2014, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with a group of investors including Mr. Richard Kiphart (collectively with the other investors, the “Note Holders”). Pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the Note Holders lent to the Company $1,000,000 under Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes (the “2014 Notes”). The 2014 Notes had a term of ten years and accrued interest at the rate of 12.5% per year, payable semi-annually at the Company’s election in cash or additional 2014 Notes.  The Company accrued interest of $48 thousand during 2014.
	The Note Holders are entitled to convert the 2014 Notes at any time, at their election, into shares of the Company’s common stock at the Conversion Price (as such term is defined in the 2014 Notes). The Company can require conversion of the 2014 Notes if the weighted average price for the its common stock (i) during the period commencing on the issuance date and terminating on the first anniversary of the issuance date, is at least two hundred percent (200%) of the Conversion Price for at least 20 trading days during a 30-trading day period ending within five trading days prior to the Company sending a notice of forced conversion to the holders of the 2014 Notes, or (ii) during the period commencing on the day following the first anniversary of the issuance date and terminating on the maturity date, is at least one hundred seventy-five percent (175%) of the Conversion Price for at least 20 trading days during a 30-trading day period ending within five trading days prior to the Company sending a forced conversion notice to the holders of the 2014 Notes. The number of shares the Company shall be obligated to issue will be limited such that it would not violate any requirements of any exchange upon which it might be listed at the time of the conversion.
	The Note Holders can require that the Company redeem all or any portion of the 2014 Notes upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event. Trigger Events include (i) failure to have sufficient authorized shares at any time following the 60th day after issuance, (ii) failure to pay any amount of principal, interest or other amounts when and as due under the 2014 Notes, (iii) if the Company voluntarily or involuntarily seeks protection under bankruptcy laws, or (iv) if the Company breaches any representation, warranty or covenant or other term or condition of any transaction document. The Company is required to redeem the 2014 Notes upon a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the 2014 Notes) at the Change of Control Premium. The Change of Control Premium is defined as (i) 130% from the issuance date through the second anniversary of the issuance date, (ii) 120% after the second anniversary of the issuance date through the fourth anniversary of the issuance date and (iii) 100% thereafter. Under the terms of the 2014  Notes, the Company covenants not to (i) redeem debt that is subordinated to the 2014 Notes, or (ii) redeem, repurchase or declare or pay a cash dividend or distribution on its capital stock. The 2014 Notes are subordinated to (i) all commercial loans or other credit facilities that are or will be secured by all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and that have been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors as senior in rank to the 2014 Notes and (ii) any and all obligations to the issuers of surety bonds and performance bonds for which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the principal obligor.
	The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of the 2014 Notes for general corporate purposes.
	On December 23, 2014, in connection with the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock discussed in Note 14, the 2014 Notes and accrued interest of $48 thousand were converted into 213,500 shares of common stock.

Sale_of_Series_B_Preferred_Sto

Sale of Series B Preferred Stock (Series B Preferred Stock)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Series B Preferred Stock
Sale of Series B Preferred Stock
	Note 13 —Sale of Series B Preferred Stock
	On December 30, 2013, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Series B Purchase Agreement”) with a group of Series B Investors including Mr. Richard Kiphart (collectively with the other investors, the “Series B Investors”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Series B Purchase Agreement, the Series B Investors purchased 400,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Shares”) at a price per Series B Preferred Share of $10.00.
	On January 29, 2014, the Company entered into a Series B Purchase Agreement with Greener Capital Partners Fund II, L.P. (“Greener Capital”), pursuant to which Greener Capital purchased an aggregate of 200,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Shares at a price per Series B Preferred Share of $10.00.  Greener Capital funded the purchase and the transaction closed on February 4, 2014.
	The Series B Preferred Shares were entitled to an accruing dividend of 12.5% per annum of their original issue price (subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations), payable semi-annually in arrears.  Such dividends shall be paid in additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the original issue price (subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations) or, at the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors, in cash.  The Company accrued dividends of $732 thousand on the Series B Preferred during 2014.  On June 30, 2014, the Company satisfied $349 thousand of preferred dividends through the issuance of Series B Preferred Shares.
	The Series B Preferred Shares may be converted, at any time following the approval of such conversion by the Company’s stockholders.  Since the Board controls the majority of common shares and approved issuance of the Series B Preferred Shares, shareholder approval is considered perfunctory.  The conversion price was initially equal to $2.83 per share (the “Series B Conversion Price”).  The Series B Conversion Price shall be proportionately adjusted standard antidilution events, subject to a floor of $2.50, shall be adjusted for future issuances of common stock (excluding certain issuances) at a price per share less than the Series B Conversion Price on a broad based, weighted average basis.  The Company can require conversion of the Series B Preferred Shares if the weighted average price for its common stock is at least two hundred percent (200%) of the Series B Conversion Price for at least 20 trading days during a 30 trading day period ending within 5 trading days prior to the Company sending a notice of forced conversion to the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares.
	The Company may redeem all or a portion of the Series B Preferred Shares at its option at any time, unless prohibited by Delaware law governing distributions to stockholders.  The redemption price for each Series B Preferred Share shall be its original issue price (subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations) plus any accrued but unpaid dividends multiplied by a factor based on the date the notice of such redemption is sent to holders of the Series B Preferred Shares. If such notice is sent before the first anniversary of the issuance of the Series B Preferred Shares, the factor shall be 103%, if thereafter but before the second such anniversary, the factor shall be 102%, if thereafter but before the third such anniversary, the factor shall be 101% and thereafter, the factor shall be 100%.
	In connection with the entry into the Series B Purchase Agreement, the Company issued the Series B Investors warrants to purchase 848,058 shares of its common stock at $2.83 per share (the “Series B Warrants”).  These warrants expire on the fifth anniversary of their issuance and contain a cashless exercise option.  The Warrants may not be exercised until the Company’s common stockholders approve the exercise of the Warrants.  The Series B Warrants were cancelled upon the issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares discussed in Note 14.
	In recording the Series B transactions, the Company allocated the value of the proceeds to the Series B Preferred Shares and the Series B Warrants based on their relative fair values.  In doing so, it determined that the Series B Preferred Shares contained a beneficial conversion feature.  The value of the beneficial conversion feature, along with the value of the warrants, were both considered to be non-cash deemed dividends and were recorded to dividend expense, with an offsetting entry to additional paid in capital in the period in which the Series B Preferred Shares were issued.  Dividend expense for 2014, contains $832 thousand of such deemed dividends.
	The Series B Purchase Agreement requires that the Company seek stockholder approval of the conversion of the Series B Preferred Shares and the exercise of the Series B Warrants on or before July 31, 2014.  The Company received such approval at its annual meeting of stockholders held on June 25, 2014.
	The Company used the cash proceeds from the sale of the Series B Preferred Shares for general corporate purposes.
	On December 23, 2014, in connection with the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock discussed in Note 14, all Series B Preferred Shares along with accrued dividends of $383 thousand were converted into 2,383,437 shares of common stock.  The Series B Warrants were cancelled upon the issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares.

Sale_of_Series_C_Preferred_Sto

Sale of Series C Preferred Stock (Series C Preferred Stock)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Series C Preferred Stock
Sale of Series C Preferred Stock
	Note 14 —Sale of Series C Preferred Stock
	On December 23, 2014, the Company issued Series C Preferred Stock to Bison Capital Partners IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Bison”).  Bison purchased 10,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) at a price per Series C Preferred Share of $1,000.00
	The Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to an accruing dividend of 12.5% per annum of their base amount (subject to adjustments for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations), payable every six months.  The base amount is adjusted each dividend payment date for the unpaid dividends accrued.  The Company accrued dividends of $27 thousand during 2014.
	The Series C Preferred Shares may be converted, at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price which was initially equal to $2.40 per share (the “Series C Conversion Price”); provided that the Series C Preferred Shares may not convert into in excess of 19.99% of the outstanding Common Stock prior to the effective date the stockholders of the Company approve the removal of this cap.  The Series C Conversion Price shall be proportionately adjusted for stock splits, combinations and similar recapitalizations, and shall be adjusted for future issuances of common stock.  Upon conversion, all accrued, undeclared and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock so converted shall be cancelled.
	At any time after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company has the right to redeem all but not less than all of the Series C Preferred Shares for an amount equal to the original issue price of the shares plus all accrued but unpaid dividends, effective 30 days after giving notice thereof to the holder(s) of the Series C Preferred Shares.  During such 30-day period, the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares may convert the Series C Preferred Shares to Common Stock in lieu of receiving the redemption payment.  At any time after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, a holder of Series C Preferred Shares has the right to require the Company to redeem all or a portion of its Series C Preferred Shares for an amount equal to the original issue price of the shares plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.  In the event the Company fails to make the required redemption payment by the date fixed for such payment, the dividend rate will increase to 15% per annum and increase an additional 1% per annum each quarter until paid.
	In connection with the Transaction, the Company, Bison, Mr. Richard Kiphart and The John Thomas Hurvis Revocable Trust entered into a Shareholder and Investor Rights Agreement dated as of December 23, 2014 (the “Shareholder Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, in the event the Company proposes to issue new securities (subject to certain exceptions), the Company must allow Bison to purchase a proportion of the new securities equal to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Bison divided by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis.
	The Shareholder Agreement also provides Bison with operational consent rights and director appointment rights that apply so long as Bison holds at least five percent (5%) of the total voting power of the Company.  The stockholders of the Company party to the Shareholders Agreement have agreed to vote in favor of Bison’s director appointees. The Shareholder Agreement entitles Bison to appoint one director to the Company’s Compensation Committee and any new board committee that is established other than the Audit Committee or the Governance and Nominating Committee, and also entitles Bison to receive certain financial information.  Bison may not, subject to certain exceptions in the Shareholder Agreement, acquire additional shares of Common Stock or seek to influence the management of the Company without the Company’s consent. Such restrictions will no longer have effect upon certain changes of control of the Company.
	If, on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date or any succeeding anniversary of such date, ten percent (10%) of the average daily trading volume of Common Stock is less than the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Bison divided by 240, then Bison may require the Company to initiate a sale process.  Subject to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, the stockholders of the Company party to the Shareholders Agreement have agreed to vote in favor of and otherwise support such a sale. If such a sale is not consummated within nine (9) months, Bison has the right to require the Company to purchase, subject to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, all or any portion of its Series C Preferred Shares or Common Stock into which such Series C Preferred Shares has converted, for a per share price generally equal to the average closing price of the Common Stock for the sixty (60) trading days immediately preceding giving notice of exercise of such right.
	The Company incurred costs of approximately $367 thousand to issue the Series C Preferred Stock.  These costs were recorded net of the proceeds of the Series C Preferred Stock.   The Series C Preferred Stock is classified outside of permanent equity as the rights of redemption and the ability to initiate a sale are not solely within the control of the Company.
	The Company intends to use the cash proceeds from the sale of the Series C Preferred Shares for general corporate purposes.
	Effective December 22, 2014, the holders of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock converted all of the shares thereof into shares of Common Stock, such that there are no issued or outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock.
	Also effective December 22, 2014, the holders of the Company’s Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes and warrants converted such notes for shares of Common Stock and cancelled such warrants, such that all of the Company’s obligations under such Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes and warrants have terminated.

Letter_of_Credit_Agreement

Letter of Credit Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Letter of Credit Agreement
Letter of Credit Agreement
	Note 15 — Letter of Credit Agreement
	On December 7, 2012, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Mr. Kiphart. Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. Kiphart agreed to cause the issuance of one or more Letters of Credit (collectively, the “Letter of Credit”) for the benefit of a surety at the Company’s request, up to an aggregate amount of $1,000,000. The Letter of Credit is being used to support the issuance of performance bonds required by certain of the Company’s contracts with public sector customers. Mr. Kiphart’s obligation to cause the issuance of, or leave in place, the Letter of Credit was to terminate on December 7, 2013, however he agreed to extend his support for outstanding Letters of Credit until the projects they were associated with were completed in 2014.
	The Company has agreed to indemnify Mr. Kiphart for any liability in connection with any payment or disbursement made under the Letter of Credit. The Company will also pay all of Mr. Kiphart’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Letter of Credit. All such indemnification, fees and expenses will be payable by the Company within ten business days of the Company’s receipt of Mr. Kiphart’s written demand.
	On August 1, 2014, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement (the “LOC Agreement”) with Mr. Kiphart, which replaced the December 7, 2012 Letter of Credit Agreement.  Pursuant to the LOC Agreement, Mr. Kiphart agreed to cause the issuance of one or more Letters of Credit (collectively, the “Kiphart Letter of Credit”) for the benefit of a surety at the Company’s request, up to an aggregate amount of $1,300,000. The Kiphart Letter of Credit is being used to guarantee certain obligations of the Company in connection with its performance under the Company’s contract with Duke Energy. Mr. Kiphart’s obligation to cause the issuance of, or leave in place, the Kiphart Letter of Credit will terminate on December 31, 2019. The Company has agreed to indemnify Mr. Kiphart for any liability in connection with any payment or disbursement made under the Kiphart Letter of Credit. The Company will also pay all of Mr. Kiphart’s fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Kiphart Letter of Credit. All such indemnification, fees and expenses will be payable by the Company within ten business days of the Company’s receipt of Mr. Kiphart’s written demand.
	Pursuant to the LOC Agreement, the Company issued to Mr. Kiphart a warrant (the “LOC Warrant”) to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as consideration for his obligations under the LOC Agreement. The LOC Warrant was issued on August 12, 2014 at an exercise price of $4.04 based on the closing bid price of our stock on the date of issuance.  The Company determined the value of the Warrants to be $100 thousand using a trinomial option pricing model.   The value of the warrants was capitalized as deferred financing costs and were being amortized over the term of the Letter of Credit.  In connection with the issuance of Series C Preferred Shares discussed in Note 14, the warrants were forfeited and deferred financing costs of $100 thousand were recorded to interest expense.   In addition, the Company has agreed to pay to Mr. Kiphart simple interest at six percent per annum on the aggregate amount of the Kiphart Letter of Credit.  The Company accrued interest of $33 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Interest_Expense

Interest Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Expense
Interest Expense
	Note 16 — Interest Expense
	Interest expense is comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Letter of credit (Note 15)	$	41	$	3
	Term loan (Note 10)	—		168
	Subordinated convertible notes (Note 12)	48		575
	Total Contractual Interest	89		746
	Other	—		1
	Change in value of interest rate swap (Note 10)	—		(12		)
	Amortization of deferred issuance costs and debt discount (Note 12)	100		1,689
	Total Interest Expense	$	189	$	2,424
	Continuing operations	189		2,052
	Discontinued operations	$	—	$	372

Lease_Commitments

Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Lease Commitments
Lease Commitments
	Note 17 — Lease Commitments
	The Company leased offices in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania at various times during 2013 and 2014 from unrelated third parties under leases expiring through 2022, for which it paid a total of $736,000 and $739,000 during 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Future annual minimum rentals to be paid by the Company under these non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2015	479
	2016	302
	2017	146
	2018	133
	2019	134
	2020	132
	2021	130
	2022	20
	Total	$	1,476

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	Note 18 — Income Taxes
	The composition of income tax expense (benefit) is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31	2014			2013
	Deferred
	Federal	$	(645	)	$	(6,245	)
	State	(122		)	(1,511		)
	Change in valuation allowance	767			7,756
	Total	$	—		$	—
	Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax asset are as follows (in thousands):
	December 31	2014			2013
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	$	45,693		$	53,862
	Stock-based compensation	470			6,242
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	829			1,190
	Goodwill	—			151
	Property & equipment	(120		)	56
	Other	254			643
	Amortization of intangibles	—			1,129
	Valuation allowance	(47,126		)	(63,273		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—
	The Company has recorded a valuation allowance equaling the net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of its realization in the future.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income of approximately $145 million, which expire in the years 2018 through 2034.  Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) of 1986, as amended, the utilization of U.S. net operating loss carryforwards may be limited under the change in stock ownership rules of the IRC. As a result of ownership changes as defined by Section 382, which have occurred at various points in the Company’s history, utilization of its net operating loss carryforwards will be significantly limited under certain circumstances.  Based on an analysis of ownership changes prior to 2008, approximately $30.0 million of the net operating losses will expire unused due to Section 382 limitations.  For the same periods, the Company also has state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $130 million, which unused, will expire at various dates thru 2034.
	A reconciliation of the statutory federal rate of 34% and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the years-ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Federal income tax at statutory rate	34.0	%	34.0	%
	Cancellation of debt income	(3.0	)%	0.0	%
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	1.0	%	6.0	%
	Other	0.0	%	9.0	%
	Preferred dividends	(18.0	)%	0.0	%
	Valuation Reserve	(14.0	)%	(49.0	)%
	Effective income tax rate	0.0	%	0.0	%
	The Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $47.1 million due to the uncertainty of future utilization of the deferred tax assets.
	The effects of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are to be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. No uncertain tax positions have been identified through December 31, 2014.  If we did identify any uncertain tax positions, any accrued interest related to unrecognized tax expenses and penalties would be recorded in income tax expense.  The statute of limitations is normally three years from the extended due date of the return for federal and state tax purposes.  However, for taxpayer’s with net operating losses, the statute is effectively open to any year in which an a net operating loss was generated.  The statute of limitations for the Company is therefore effectively open for the years 1998 through 2014.  The Company’s federal returns have been audited for the 2008 and 2009 tax years.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies.
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company carries Directors and Officers insurance, which it anticipates will cover the cost of defending an existing class action suit and derivative action and any related awards or settlements, up to the limit of the policy.  At this point in the legal process, the Company estimates that its reasonably possible costs, over and above the amounts covered by insurance, of responding to these lawsuits, responding to the SEC investigation and completing its internal investigation and restatement will be between $6.5 million and $7.0 million, of which $6.2 million had been incurred through December 31, 2014.  There are many factors that could cause the actual costs to exceed or be less than this estimate, therefore the Company has not accrued for these potential future costs.

Equity_Transactions

Equity Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Transactions
Equity Transactions
	Note 20 — Equity Transactions
	2013 Transactions
		a)	During 2013, the Company granted 43,489 shares of restricted stock to five of its outside directors pursuant to the 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan as compensation for their service on the Board.  These shares vest 50% upon grant and 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date if the director is still serving on the Company’s board of directors on the vesting date.
		b)	During 2013, the Company granted 49,951 shares of restricted stock to five senior employees.  These shares vest in equal amounts on each of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, if the employee still works for the Company on the applicable vesting date.
		c)	On September 23, 2013, the Company issued 926,223 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 264,551 shares of its common stock as part of a transaction in which it converted all of its outstanding Subordinated Convertible Notes and raised $2.5 million of cash.  Please see Note 11 for additional information regarding this transaction.
		d)	On December 30, 2013, the Company sold 400,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 565,372 shares of its common stock to two investors for $4 million.  Please see Note 13 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	2014 Transactions
		e)	During 2014, the Company granted 88,801 shares of restricted stock to eight of its outside directors pursuant to the 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan as compensation for their service on the Board.  These shares vest 50% upon grant and 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date if the director is still serving on the Company’s board of directors on the vesting date.
		f)	During 2014, the Company granted 30,157 shares of restricted stock to two senior employees.  These shares vest in equal amounts on each of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, if the employee still works for the Company on the applicable vesting date.
		g)	On January 29, 2014, the Company sold 200,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock to an investor for $2 million.  Please see Note 13 for additional information regarding this transaction.  On December 23, 2014 all Series B Preferred Shares along with accrued dividends were converted into 2,383,437 shares of common stock.
		h)	On August, 4, 2014, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with a group of investors who lent the Company $1,000,000 under Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes.  On December 23, 2014, the notes and accrued interest were converted into 213,500 shares of common stock.  Please see Note 12, for additional information regarding this transaction.
		i)	On December 23, 2014, the Company sold 10,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock to an investor for $10,000,000.  As part of this transaction, all Series A and Series B Preferred shares with accrued dividends and the Convertible Pay-In-Kind notes with accrued interest were converted into 5,681,198 shares of common stock.  Please see Note 14 for additional information regarding this transaction.
		j)	On December 23, 2014, as part of the sale of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock, all outstanding warrants were forfeited.

Stock_Options

Stock Options	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Options
Stock Options
	Note 21 — Stock Options
	On June 4, 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which replaced the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.  The 2008 Plan provided that up to 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock could be delivered under the Plan to certain employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and to consultants and directors who are not employees.  In addition, the 2008 Plan originally provided for an additional number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be reserved for issuance under the plan on January 1st of each succeeding year, beginning January 1, 2009, in an amount equal to 14,286 shares.  On November 26, 2008, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved amendments the 2008 Plan to i) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2008 Plan by 50,000 shares, from 40,000 shares to 90,000 shares, and (ii) raise the automatic increases in the number of shares available for awards by 21,429 shares, from 14,286 to 35,715, each year beginning in 2009.  The holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding capital stock approved the plan amendment pursuant to a consent dated November 26, 2008.  On March 25, 2010, the Compensation Committee approved a second amendment to the 2008 Plan to increase the shares available under the plan by an additional 245,714 shares, from 161,429 shares to 407,143 shares.  The second amendment was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 3, 2010.
	Awards granted under the 2008 Plan may be incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”).  The exercise price for any ISO may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is granted, except that with respect to a participant who owns more than 10% of the common stock the exercise price must be not less than 110% of fair market value. The exercise price of any NQSO shall be in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee or the Board. To qualify as an ISO the aggregate fair market value of the shares (determined on the grant date) under options granted to any participant may not exceed $100,000 in the first year that they can be exercised. There is no comparable limitation with respect to NQSOs.  The term of all options granted under the 2008 Plan will be determined by the Compensation Committee or the Board in their sole discretion, provided, however, that the term of each ISO shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant thereof.
	In addition to the ISOs and NQSOs, the 2008 Plan permits the Compensation Committee, consistent with the purposes of the Plan, to grant stock appreciation rights and/or shares of Common Stock to non-employee directors and such employees (including officers and directors who are employees) of, or consultants to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion. Under applicable tax laws, however, ISOs may only be granted to employees.
	The 2008 Plan is administered by the Board, which is authorized to interpret the 2008 Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2008 Plan and to determine the individuals to whom, and the time, terms and conditions under which, options and awards are granted.  The Board may also amend, suspend or terminate the 2008 Plan in any respect at any time. However, no amendment may (i) adversely affect the rights of a participant under an award theretofore granted without the consent of such participant, (ii) increase the number of shares reserved under the 2008 Plan, (iii) modify the requirements for participation in the 2008 Plan, or (iv) modify the 2008 Plan in any way that would require stockholder approval under the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act or the rules of any stock exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed (unless such stockholder approval is obtained).
	As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 161 employees of the Company eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan, and 201,425 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2008 Plan.
	Effective April 1, 2000, the Company adopted a stock option plan for all independent directors, which is separate and distinct from the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan described above.  The Directors’ Plan was replaced during 2010 by the 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan, which is described in Note 23.
	The following table summarizes the options granted, exercised, forfeited and outstanding through December 31, 2014:
			Shares		Exercise		Weighted
					Price Per		Average
					Share		Exercise
							Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		508,636		$3.64 - $1,844.85		$	37
	Granted		2,859		$4.27 – $4.27		$	4.27
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited		(64,861	)	$22.82 - $1,844.85		$	36.76
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		446,634		$3.64 - $1,675.80		$	36.82
	Granted		20,000		$2.57 - $2.57		$	2.57
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited		(364,419	)	$4.27 - $1,675.80		$	45.55
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		102,215		$2.57 - $455.70		$	21.78
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		68,999		$2.57 - $455.70		$	23.59
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013		340,557		$3.64 – $1,675.80		$	39.84
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2012		351,949		$22.82 – $1,844.85		$	42
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Exercise Price		Number		Weighted		Weighted		Number	Weighted
			Outstanding		Average		Average		Exercisable at	Average
			at December		Remaining		Exercise Price		December 31,	Exercise Price
			31, 2014		Contractual				2014
					Life
	$2.57 - $3.00		20,000		9.5 years		$	2.57	6,666	$	2.57
	$3.01 - $5.00		14,286		7.9 years		$	3.64	14,286	$	3.64
	$5.01 - $6.00		7,143		7.7 years		$	5.25	4,762	$	5.25
	$6.01 - $30.00		24,905		5.3 years		$	24.91	24,905	$	24.91
	$30.01 - $40.00		24,019		5.2 years		$	31.97	6,518	$	33.25
	$40.01 - $50.00		7,789		1.6 years		$	49.21	7,789	$	49.21
	$50.01 - $455.70		4,073		2.8 years		$	76.94	4,073	$	76.94
	$2.57 - $455.70		102,215		6.3 years		$	21.78	68,999	$	23.59
	The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding options (the difference between the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2014 of $2.93 per share and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2014 was $2.4 thousand. The aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable options as of December 31, 2014 was $0. These amounts will change based on changes in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
	The Company uses an Enhanced Hull-White Trinomial model to value its employee options. The weighted-average, grant-date fair value of stock options granted to employees during the year, and the weighted-average significant assumptions used to determine those fair values, using the Enhanced Hull-White Trinomial model for stock options under ASC 718, are as follows:
	Year ended December 31,		2014			2013
	Weighted average fair value per options granted		$	0.63		$	1.98
	Significant assumptions (weighted average):
	Risk-free interest rate at grant date		0.03		%	0.02		%
	Expected stock price volatility		63		%	62		%
	Expected dividend payout		—			—
	Expected option life (years) (1)		5.8			5.7
	Expected turn-over rate		32.1		%	4.8		%
	Expected exercise multiple		2.2			2.2
		-1		The Company continues to use the simplified method to estimate expected term due to the historical structural changes to its business such that historical exercise data may no longer provide a reasonable basis on which to estimate expected term.
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Bill rates at the time of grant. The dividend reflects the fact that the Company has never paid a dividend on its common stock and does not expect to in the foreseeable future. The Company estimated the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its stock. The expected term of the options is based on the simplified method as described in a Staff Accounting Bulletin.  The expected turn-over rate represents the expected forfeitures due to employee turnover and is based on historical rates experienced by the Company.  The expected exercise multiple represents the mean ratio of the stock price to the exercise price at which employees are expected to exercise their options and is based on an empirical study completed by S. Huddart and M. Lang (1996).
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally equal to the vesting period of the option.  The subject stock options expire ten years after the date of grant.  The Company recognized stock compensation expense for stock options of $(8) thousand and $698 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, $6,800 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options, unadjusted for potential forfeitures, is expected to be recognized as follows:
	Year ending December 31,
	2015		$	5,600
	2016		1,200
	Total		$	6,800
	In addition, there was approximately $293 thousand of unrecognized expense related to the Cliff Options that vest based on the occurrence of certain events which may be recognized by April 16, 2015 if the requirements for vesting are met.

Restricted_Stock

Restricted Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock.
Restricted Stock
	Note 22 —Restricted Stock
	On June 3, 2010, stockholders approved the 2010 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan (the “2010 Directors’ Plan”), which replaced the 2006 Directors Plan.  The 2010 Directors’ Plan provides for the granting of stock to non-employee directors to compensate them for their services to the Company.  The use of the shares available under the 2010 Directors’ Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, which has delegated its powers to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  The Compensation Committee has designed a plan that grants non-employee directors restricted shares of stock with the following market values on the date of grant:
	For Board Service:
	Each director upon initial election:	$	40,000
	Annual grant to each director:	$	20,000
	Annual Grants for Committee Service:
	Audit Committee:
	Chairman	$	15,000
	Members	$	10,000
	Compensation Committee:
	Chairman	$	10,000
	Members	$	5,000
	Nominating Committee:
	Chairman	$	5,000
	Members	$	2,500
	Half of the shares received pursuant to each grant under the 2010 Directors’ Plan vest immediately and the remaining shares vest on the one year anniversary of such grant.  Shares for board service are granted on the first business day of the year and shares for committee service are granted upon appointment to the committee following the annual meeting of stockholders.  Newly appointed directors receive their initial grant on their date of appointment.
	The Company has also granted shares of restricted stock to certain senior managers under its 2009 Management Incentive Compensation Plan as a form of long-term incentive.  Grants under this plan typically vest over a three year period provided that the grantee is still an employee on the applicable vesting date.
	The following table summarizes the shares of restricted stock granted, vested, forfeited and outstanding as of December 31, 2014:
		Restricted		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2012	12,871		$	25.43
	Granted	92,812		$	3.22
	Vested	(40,732	)	$	8.5
	Forfeited	(2,367	)	$	6.83
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2013	62,584		$	4.22
	Granted	118,958		$	3.41
	Vested	(92,870	)	$	3.42
	Forfeited	(15,339	)	$	4.89
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2014	73,333		$	2.79
	The Company accounts for grants of restricted stock in accordance with ASC 718. This pronouncement requires companies to measure the cost of the service received in exchange for a share-based award based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant, with expense recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally equal to the vesting period of the grant.  The Company recognized $287 thousand and $169 thousand of stock compensation expense related to the issuances of restricted stock in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $103 thousand of unrecognized expense related to these restricted stock issuances which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 8.4 months.

Employee_Stock_Purchase_Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Note 23 - Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company gave employees the right to purchase shares at a discount to the market price under its employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”).  The ESPP expired on December 31, 2012, but at the Company’s annual meeting held in December 2013, its stockholders approved an ESPP for a one year period commencing January 1, 2014 (the “2014 ESPP”).  The new plan (“2015 ESPP”) was approved at the annual meeting held on June 25, 2014, which replaced the 2014 ESPP with a new ESPP that will run from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, and will better correspond with the Company’s annual meeting dates. The 2015 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 42,858 shares of common stock.
	For accounting purposes, each employee participating in the 2015 ESPP is considered to have received a series of options for current and future offering periods to purchase shares at a price equal to the closing price on the first day of the offering period, less 15%.  The Company calculates the value of these options using a trinomial option pricing model and amortizes the values as share-based compensation expense over the term of option, which is considered to extend through the end of the related offering period.  The Company recorded net share-based compensation expense under the 2015 ESPP during 2014 of $17 thousand.

Reverse_Stock_Split

Reverse Stock Split	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Reverse Stock Split
Reverse Stock Split
	Note 24 — Reverse Stock Split
	Holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock, acting by written consent, approved an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to effect a one-for-seven reverse split of the Company’s stock in order for the Company to continue to meet the NASDAQ Stock Exchange’s requirement that it maintain a $1.00 minimum closing bid price for continued listing on the exchange.  The reverse stock split was effective October 10, 2013.  All share amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

Legal_Matters

Legal Matters	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Legal Matters
Legal Matters
	Note 25 — Legal Matters
	Jeffrey Satterfield, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Lime Energy Co., John  O’Rourke and Jeffrey Mistarz, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:12-cv-05704.  This is a securities class action suit. An Order of Preliminary Approval of a settlement was filed on January 28, 2014.  The parties agreed to settlement terms and an Order of Final Approval and Final Judgment was entered by the court on June 4, 2014.
	Kuberski v. Lime Energy Co. et al., Case No. 12-cv-7993 (N.D. Ill.):  This is a putative shareholder derivative action alleging that the Company officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company from May 14, 2008 through the present.  Two derivative actions were filed, one on October 5, 2012 and one on March 5, 2013.  The two cases were consolidated and the Court appointed Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs on April 9, 2013.  On May 9, 2013, the Plaintiffs filed a Verified Consolidated Shareholder Derivative Complaint, purporting to name as Defendants several former officers and directors of the Company. The Company is named as a Nominal Defendant. On June 10, 2013, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss for failure to make a demand on the Board of Directors of the Company or to adequately plead why demand should be excused, as required by Rule 23.1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Delaware law.  Plaintiffs filed a response on July 8, 2013, and Defendants filed their reply on July 22, 2013.  On March 25, 2014, the Court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss with prejudice.  On April 22, 2014, Plaintiffs’ filed a Motion for Reconsideration and for Leave to File an Amended Complaint.  The Court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration on June 25, 2014.  The parties are currently in mediation and settlement negotiations, and the court suspended the appeal during the mediation process.  In February 2015, the parties verbally accepted settlement terms proposed by the mediator and are working on drafting a settlement agreement.  The Company expects that the settlement amount will be fully covered by the Company’s insurance carrier.
	SEC Investigation:  The Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting an investigation of our revenue recognition practices and financial reporting.  On September 11, 2012, the Commission issued a subpoena for documents.  On July 25, 2014, the Commission asked for some additional documentation and asked to schedule three interviews.  All three interviews had been conducted by the end of December 2014.  We have not received any further requests from the Commission and we await to hear further from the Commission.  We continue to remain ready to cooperate with the investigation.
	Dressler v. Lime Energy, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Case 3:14-cv-07060-FLW-DEA, filed November 10, 2014.  This is a purported “whistleblower” case alleging illegal retaliation by “Lime Energy” for the plaintiff’s alleged disclosure of activity she believed violated the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The plaintiff alleges that she made repeated disclosures to various individuals employed by “Lime Energy” that certain accounting practices were improper and could lead to a restatement of financial statements.  Plaintiff filed her complaint pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1514A), and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (15 U.S.C. §78u-6, et seq.) (together, the “Acts”).  This case has been accepted for coverage under the Lime Executive Protection Portfolio Policy.  On January 20, 2015, Lime’s counsel filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s claim for failure to meet the definition of a “whistleblower” under the Dodd-Frank Act.  Plaintiff opposed the motion, and on February 24, 2015, Lime’s counsel filed its reply brief in support of the motion to dismiss.  The parties are currently waiting for the court to rule.

Related_Parties

Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Parties
Related Parties
	Note 26 — Related Parties
	On October 22, 2012, the Company entered into a Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with a group of investors that included Mr. Richard Kiphart and Mr. Christopher Capps.  Please see Note 12 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On December 7, 2012, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement with Mr. Richard Kiphart, pursuant to which Mr. Kiphart agreed to provide collateral in connection with the issuance of letters of credit to support the issuance of surety bonds required under construction contracts won by the Company.  Please see Note 15 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On September 23, 2013, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement with a group of investors that included Mr. Richard Kiphart and Mr. Christopher Capps.  Please see Note 11 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On December 30, 2013, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement with two investors, including Mr. Richard Kiphart.  Please see Note 13 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On August 4, 2014, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Agreement with a group of investors including Mr. Richard Kiphart (the Note Holders), pursuant to which the Note Holders lent to the Company $1,000,000 under Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes.  Please see Note 12 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On August 1, 2014, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement with Mr. Richard Kiphart, which replaced the December 7, 2012 Letter of Credit Agreement, for the benefit of a surety at the Company’s request.  Please see Note 15 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	On December 23, 2014, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with Bison Capital Partners IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Bison”).  Pursuant to the terms of the Series C Purchase Agreement, the Series C Investors purchased 10,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock.  Effective December 22, 2014, the holders of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock converted all of the shares thereof into shares of Common Stock.  Also the holders of the Company’s Subordinated Secured Convertible Pay-In-Kind Notes and warrants converted such notes for shares of Common Stock and cancelled such warrants.  Please see Note 14 for additional information regarding this transaction.
	The Company does not have a written policy concerning transactions between the Company or a subsidiary of the Company and any director or executive officer, nominee for director, 5% stockholder or member of the immediate family of any such person.  However, the Company’s practice is that such transactions shall be reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors and found to be fair to the Company prior to the Company (or a subsidiary) entering into any such transaction, except for (i) executive officers’ participation in employee benefits which are available to all employees generally; (ii) transactions involving routine goods or services which are purchased or sold by the Company (or a subsidiary) on the same terms as are generally available in arm’s length transactions with unrelated parties (however, such transactions are still subject to approval by an authorized representative of the Company in accordance with internal policies and procedures applicable to such transactions with unrelated third parties); and (iii) compensation decisions with respect to executive officers other than the CEO, which are made by the Compensation Committee pursuant to recommendations of the CEO.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Segment Information
Business Segment Information
	Note 27 — Business Segment Information
	With the sale of the public sector business and renewable energy business during 2013, the Company considers all of its remaining operations to be in one business segment, its energy efficiency segment.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
	Note 28 — Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
	The following presents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013. These quarterly results were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results.  All amounts, except per share data are presented in thousands.
		Fiscal 2014 Quarters Ended,
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Total
	Revenue	$	12,280		$	13,590		$	15,585		$	17,361		$	58,816
	Gross profit	3,729			4,414			4,850			4,661			17,654
	Loss from continuing operations	(1,165		)	(229		)	(45		)	(1,191		)	(2,630		)
	Loss (Income) from discontinued operations	(3		)	55			136			(181		)	7
	Net loss	(1,168		)	(174		)	91			(1,372		)	(2,623		)
	Preferred dividends	(1,466		)	(486		)	(521		)	(506		)	(2,979		)
	Net (loss) Income available to common stockholders	(2,634		)	(660		)	(430		)	(1,878		)	(5,602		)
	Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share from:
	Continuing operations	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(1.44	)
	Discontinued operations	$	(0.00	)	$	0.01		$	0.04		$	(0.04	)	$	0
	Weighted averages shares	3,725			3,730			3,760			4,325			3,885
		Fiscal 2013 Quarters Ended,
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Total
	Revenue	$	11,216		$	12,943		$	13,354		$	14,052		$	51,565
	Gross profit	2,626			3,751			3,703			3,727			13,807
	Loss from continuing operations	(3,656		)	(1,918		)	(3,511		)	(2,052		)	(11,137		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	(3,050		)	(128		)	(329		)	(992		)	(4,499		)
	Net loss	(6,706		)	(2,046		)	(3,840		)	(3,044		)	(15,636		)
	Preferred dividends	—			—			(22		)	(2,853		)	(2,875		)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	(6,706		)	(2,046		)	(3,862		)	(5,897		)	(18,511		)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share from:
	Continuing operations	$	(1.02	)	$	(0.53	)	$	(0.98	)	$	(1.36	)	$	(3.90	)
	Discontinued operations	$	(0.85	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(1.25	)
	Weighted averages shares	3,595			3,593			3,593			3,600			3,595

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
	Note 29 — Subsequent Events
	EnerPath Acquisition
	On March 24, 2015 the Company aquired EnerPath International Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“EnerPath”).   EnerPath is a California-based provider of software solutions and program administration for utility energy efficiency programs.
	The consideration paid in connection with the EnerPath Acquisition was approximately $11 million in cash, subject to adjustment as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Company financed the purchase price through the issuance of debt, as further described under “Convertible Debt Financing” below.
	Convertible Debt Financing
	The Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Bison Capital Partners IV, L.P. (“Bison”) pursuant to which the Company issued a subordinated convertible note due March 24, 2020 (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $11,750,000. The proceeds from the sale of the Note were used to finance the EnerPath Acquisition and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith (including certain fees and expenses incurred by Bison in connection with the Note Purchase Agreement).  As of the date the Note was issued, Bison owned 10,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Stock”), which was, as of the date thereof, convertible into approximately 30% of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), and was the Company’s single largest stockholder. Two members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), Andreas Hildebrand and Peter Macdonald, are partners of an affiliate of Bison. Mr. Hildebrand and Mr. Macdonald recused themselves from the Board’s consideration of the Note Purchase Agreement and the financing contemplated thereby.
	The Note was subsequently amended on March 31, 2015. According to the terms of the Note, the Company may pay 10.5% per annum interest on the outstanding principal amount semi-annually in cash or allow interest to accrue and be added to the principal amount at a rate of 12.5% per annum (the “Interest Rate”). Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the terms of the Note, the Interest Rate increases by 2.0% per annum until the Note is redeemed or the event of default is cured. All or any portion of the principal amount of the Note, plus any accrued but unpaid interest, may, at the election of the Note holder, be converted into Common Stock after March 24, 2018 or the occurrence of a change of control of the Company, whichever occurs first. The initial conversion price of the Note was $3.16; provided, however, that the Note may not convert into in excess of 19.99% of the outstanding Common Stock prior to the effective date the stockholders of the Company approve the removal of this cap (the “Stockholder Approval Matter”). The conversion price is subject to anti-dilution adjustments, adjustments in connection with stock splits and similar occurrences and certain other events set forth in the Note.  The Note is guaranteed by each subsidiary of the Company, including EnerPath and each of its subsidiaries, and is secured by a lien on all of the assets of the Company and each of its subsidiaries. The Company may not elect to prepay the Note.  The Company is subject to certain financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including a minimum EBITDA covenant beginning in 2016, as set forth in the Note. If certain EBITDA targets are not met as of June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2015, an additional $1 million of interest for each such quarter in which such EBITDA target is not met, becomes due at the earlier of maturity, redemption or acceleration.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of Risk
	Concentration of Risk
	The Company’s customers are primarily utilities and their small business customers.  During 2014 and 2013, revenue generated under four utility programs represented 78% and 75% of the Company’s consolidated revenue, respectively.
	The Company purchases its materials from a variety of suppliers and continues to seek out alternate suppliers for critical components so that it can be assured that its sales will not be interrupted by the inability of a single supplier to deliver product.  During 2014, two suppliers were responsible for 48% and 13% of the Company’s purchases, respectively, while during 2013 two suppliers were responsible for 41% and 12% of the Company’s purchases, respectively.
	The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company monitors the financial stability of these institutions regularly and management does not believe there is significant credit risk associated with deposits in excess of federally insured amounts.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that it believes to be uncollectible.  If actual collections experience changes, revisions to the allowance may be required.  After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.  Based on the information available to it, the Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. However, actual write-offs might exceed the recorded allowance.
	The following is a summary of changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014			2013
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$	1,824		$	960
	Additions charged to costs and expenses	761			886
	Amounts written-off	(791		)	(22		)
	Balance at the end of the period	$	1,794		$	1,824
Inventories
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined utilizing the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Properties & Equipment
	Properties & Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost.  For financial reporting purposes depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Building Improvements	3 - 10 years
	Office equipment	3 - 5 years
	Furniture	5 - 10 years
	Transportation equipment	3 - 5 years
	Software	3 – 5 years
Long-Lived Assets
	Long-Lived Assets
	We evaluate our long-lived assets periodically for impairment in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those items. Our cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value. Our estimates of fair value represent our best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions.
Goodwill
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of the fair value of assets acquired in business combinations.  Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires the Company to assess goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually in the absence of an indicator of possible impairment and immediately upon an indicator of possible impairment.  During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company undertook an assessment of its goodwill for possible impairment and concluded that the fair value of the continuing business, based on the discounted current value of the estimated future cash flows, exceeded the carrying value, indicating that the goodwill was not impaired.
	The Company considered various factors in determining the fair value of its business, including discounted cash flows from projected earnings, values for comparable companies and the market price of its common stock. It will continue to monitor for any impairment indicators such as underperformance of projected earnings, net book value compared to market capitalization, declining stock price and significant adverse economic and industry trends.  In the event that the business does not achieve projected results, or as the result of changes in facts of circumstances, the Company could incur an additional goodwill impairment charge in a future period.
Revenue Recognition
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all four of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence has been received that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery of the products and/or services has occurred; (iii) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.  In addition, the Company follows the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, which sets forth guidelines in the timing of revenue recognition based upon factors such as passage of title, installation, payments and customer acceptance.  Any amounts billed prior to satisfying the Company’s revenue recognition criteria is recorded as “Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts” (“Billings in Excess”) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Billings in Excess totaled $0.7 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company utilizes the percentage of completion method to recognize revenue in conjunction with the cost-to-cost method of measuring the extent of progress toward completion, consistent with ASC 605-35, “Construction Type and Production Type Contracts” and the AICPA’s Statement of Position 81-1 (SOP 81-1).  Any anticipated losses on contracts are charged to operations as soon as they are determinable.
Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts
	Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had customer projects underway for which it had recognized revenue but not yet invoiced the customer.  The Company records this unbilled revenue as a current asset titled “Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts.” The Company had Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts of $7.4 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Other Liabilities
	Other Liabilities
	In December 2012, one of the Company’s major suppliers agreed to allow it to pay for approximately $5.3 million worth of purchases over a 23 month period.  The balance of this liability was $0 and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and has been included in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Costs
	Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Costs
	Expenditures on advertising, marketing and promotions are charged to operations in the period incurred and totaled $161,000 and $152,000 for the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable earnings.  Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized.
Net Loss Per Share
	Net Loss Per Share
	The Company computes loss per share under ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share.”  This statement requires presentation of two amounts; basic and diluted loss per share.  Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share would include all common stock equivalents unless anti-dilutive.  For periods when such inclusion would not be anti-dilutive, the Company uses the treasury method to calculate the diluted earnings per share.  The treasury stock method assumes that the Company uses the proceeds from the exercise of in-the-money options and warrants to repurchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Options and warrants are only dilutive when the average market price of the underlying common stock exceeds the exercise price of the options or warrants.
	The Company has not included the outstanding options, warrants, preferred stock or convertible debt as common stock equivalents when calculating the diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants and convertible debt that is not included in the basic and diluted loss per share available to common stockholders:
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options	331,662		469,625
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants	0		767,643
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred	4,166,666		655,599
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt	0		897,041
	Total	4,498,328		2,789,908
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these amounts.
Share-based Compensation
	Share-based Compensation
	The Company has a stock incentive plan that provides for stock-based employee compensation, including the granting of stock options and shares of restricted stock, to certain key employees.  The Company follows the guidance of ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which requires companies to record stock compensation expense for equity-based awards granted, including stock options and restricted stock unit grants, over the service period of the equity-based award based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant.
	The following are the components of the Company’s stock compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		2014			2013
	Stock Options	$	(8	)	$	698
	Restricted Stock	287			169
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan	17			—
	Total Stock Compensation Expense	$	296		$	867
	Please refer to Notes 21, 22 and 23 for additional information regarding share-based compensation expense.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.”  The amendments in ASU 2014-08 change the criteria for reporting a discontinued operation and require new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.  Only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations.  This accounting standard update is effective for annual filings beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  Early adoption is permitted.  The impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-08 on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, cash flows and disclosures will be based on the Company’s future disposal activity.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers.” ASU 2014-09 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to for those goods or services using a defined five step process. More judgment and estimates may be required to achieve this principle than under existing U.S. GAAP.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect upon initial adoption recognized at the date of adoption which includes additional footnote disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and has not yet determined the method of adoption.
	In August 2014, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and amended Subtopic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern”.   This amendment prescribes that an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.  The amendments will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017.  The Company is evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, the Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts
	The following is a summary of changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014			2013
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$	1,824		$	960
	Additions charged to costs and expenses	761			886
	Amounts written-off	(791		)	(22		)
	Balance at the end of the period	$	1,794		$	1,824
Schedule of estimated useful lives of properties and equipment
	Building Improvements	3 - 10 years
	Office equipment	3 - 5 years
	Furniture	5 - 10 years
	Transportation equipment	3 - 5 years
	Software	3 – 5 years
Schedule of weighted average shares not included in the computation of basic and diluted loss per share
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options	331,662		469,625
	Weighted average shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants	0		767,643
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred	4,166,666		655,599
	Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt	0		897,041
	Total	4,498,328		2,789,908
Schedule of components of the Company's stock-based compensation expense
		2014			2013
	Stock Options	$	(8	)	$	698
	Restricted Stock	287			169
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan	17			—
	Total Stock Compensation Expense	$	296		$	867

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations.
Schedule of revenue and operating loss related to discontinued operations
	The revenue and loss related to discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Revenue	$	254	$	6,805
	Operating (Income) Loss	$	7	$	(4,499	)
Schedule of assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations
	The assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Accounts receivable, net	$	404	$	2,423
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	209		1,019
	Total current assets	613		3,442
	Total Assets	$	613	$	3,442
	Accounts payable	$	672	$	2,240
	Accrued expenses	108		504
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	8		460
	Customer deposits	18		41
	Total current liabilities	806		3,245
	Total Liabilities	$	806	$	3,245

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and Equipment
Schedule of components of property and equipment
	Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014			2013
	Buildings & improvements	$	96		$	41
	Construction equipment	21			21
	Furniture	340			338
	Office equipment	970			855
	Software	3,177			2,710
	Transportation equipment	329			329
		4,933			4,294
	Less accumulated depreciation	(3,463		)	(2,732		)
		$	1,470		$	1,562

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Summary of the Company's goodwill
	The following is a summary of the Company’s goodwill (in thousands):
		Continuing
		Operations		Discontinued Operations
		Utility		AEM			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,009	$	5,337		$	11,346
	Sale of public sector	—		(5,337		)	(5,337		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	6,009	$	—		$	6,009
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	6,009	$	—		$	6,009

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses
Schedule of components of accrued expenses
	Accrued expenses are comprised of the following (in thousands):
	December 31,	2014		2013
	Compensation	$	513	$	1,423
	Interest	20		—
	Job costs	199		73
	Rent	91		151
	Sales tax payable	119		1,184
	Taxes	—		71
	Preferred stock dividends	27		—
	Other	276		5
		$	1,245	$	2,907

Interest_Expense_Tables

Interest Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Expense
Schedule of interest expense
	Interest expense is comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Letter of credit (Note 15)	$	41	$	3
	Term loan (Note 10)	—		168
	Subordinated convertible notes (Note 12)	48		575
	Total Contractual Interest	89		746
	Other	—		1
	Change in value of interest rate swap (Note 10)	—		(12		)
	Amortization of deferred issuance costs and debt discount (Note 12)	100		1,689
	Total Interest Expense	$	189	$	2,424
	Continuing operations	189		2,052
	Discontinued operations	$	—	$	372

Lease_Commitments_Tables

Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Lease Commitments
Schedule of future annual minimum rentals to be paid by the Company under non-cancellable operating leases
	Future annual minimum rentals to be paid by the Company under these non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2015	479
	2016	302
	2017	146
	2018	133
	2019	134
	2020	132
	2021	130
	2022	20
	Total	$	1,476

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of composition of income tax expense (benefit)
	The composition of income tax expense (benefit) is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31	2014			2013
	Deferred
	Federal	$	(645	)	$	(6,245	)
	State	(122		)	(1,511		)
	Change in valuation allowance	767			7,756
	Total	$	—		$	—
Schedule of significant components of the Company's net deferred tax asset
	Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax asset are as follows (in thousands):
	December 31	2014			2013
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	$	45,693		$	53,862
	Stock-based compensation	470			6,242
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	829			1,190
	Goodwill	—			151
	Property & equipment	(120		)	56
	Other	254			643
	Amortization of intangibles	—			1,129
	Valuation allowance	(47,126		)	(63,273		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—
Schedule of reconciliation of the statutory federal rate of 34% and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations
	Year ended December 31,	2014		2013
	Federal income tax at statutory rate	34.0	%	34.0	%
	Cancellation of debt income	(3.0	)%	0.0	%
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	1.0	%	6.0	%
	Other	0.0	%	9.0	%
	Preferred dividends	(18.0	)%	0.0	%
	Valuation Reserve	(14.0	)%	(49.0	)%
	Effective income tax rate	0.0	%	0.0	%

Stock_Options_Tables

Stock Options (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Options
Summary of options granted, exercised, forfeited and outstanding
			Shares		Exercise		Weighted
					Price Per		Average
					Share		Exercise
							Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		508,636		$3.64 - $1,844.85		$	37
	Granted		2,859		$4.27 – $4.27		$	4.27
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited		(64,861	)	$22.82 - $1,844.85		$	36.76
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		446,634		$3.64 - $1,675.80		$	36.82
	Granted		20,000		$2.57 - $2.57		$	2.57
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited		(364,419	)	$4.27 - $1,675.80		$	45.55
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		102,215		$2.57 - $455.70		$	21.78
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		68,999		$2.57 - $455.70		$	23.59
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013		340,557		$3.64 – $1,675.80		$	39.84
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2012		351,949		$22.82 – $1,844.85		$	42
Summary of stock options outstanding
			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Exercise Price		Number		Weighted		Weighted		Number	Weighted
			Outstanding		Average		Average		Exercisable at	Average
			at December		Remaining		Exercise Price		December 31,	Exercise Price
			31, 2014		Contractual				2014
					Life
	$2.57 - $3.00		20,000		9.5 years		$	2.57	6,666	$	2.57
	$3.01 - $5.00		14,286		7.9 years		$	3.64	14,286	$	3.64
	$5.01 - $6.00		7,143		7.7 years		$	5.25	4,762	$	5.25
	$6.01 - $30.00		24,905		5.3 years		$	24.91	24,905	$	24.91
	$30.01 - $40.00		24,019		5.2 years		$	31.97	6,518	$	33.25
	$40.01 - $50.00		7,789		1.6 years		$	49.21	7,789	$	49.21
	$50.01 - $455.70		4,073		2.8 years		$	76.94	4,073	$	76.94
	$2.57 - $455.70		102,215		6.3 years		$	21.78	68,999	$	23.59
Schedule of weighted-average significant assumptions used to determine fair values of stock options
	Year ended December 31,		2014			2013
	Weighted average fair value per options granted		$	0.63		$	1.98
	Significant assumptions (weighted average):
	Risk-free interest rate at grant date		0.03		%	0.02		%
	Expected stock price volatility		63		%	62		%
	Expected dividend payout		—			—
	Expected option life (years) (1)		5.8			5.7
	Expected turn-over rate		32.1		%	4.8		%
	Expected exercise multiple		2.2			2.2
		-1		The Company continues to use the simplified method to estimate expected term due to the historical structural changes to its business such that historical exercise data may no longer provide a reasonable basis on which to estimate expected term.
Schedule of total unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized in future period
	Year ending December 31,
	2015		$	5,600
	2016		1,200
	Total		$	6,800

Restricted_Stock_Tables

Restricted Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock.
Schedule of market values on the date of grant of restricted shares granted to non-employee directors for board services
	For Board Service:
	Each director upon initial election:	$	40,000
	Annual grant to each director:	$	20,000
Schedule of market values on the date of grant of annual grants of restricted shares to non-employee directors for committee services
	Annual Grants for Committee Service:
	Audit Committee:
	Chairman	$	15,000
	Members	$	10,000
	Compensation Committee:
	Chairman	$	10,000
	Members	$	5,000
	Nominating Committee:
	Chairman	$	5,000
	Members	$	2,500
Summary of shares of restricted stock granted, vested, forfeited and outstanding
		Restricted		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2012	12,871		$	25.43
	Granted	92,812		$	3.22
	Vested	(40,732	)	$	8.5
	Forfeited	(2,367	)	$	6.83
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2013	62,584		$	4.22
	Granted	118,958		$	3.41
	Vested	(92,870	)	$	3.42
	Forfeited	(15,339	)	$	4.89
	Unvested Shares at December 31, 2014	73,333		$	2.79

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Schedule of unaudited quarterly results	All amounts, except per share data are presented in thousands.
		Fiscal 2014 Quarters Ended,
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Total
	Revenue	$	12,280		$	13,590		$	15,585		$	17,361		$	58,816
	Gross profit	3,729			4,414			4,850			4,661			17,654
	Loss from continuing operations	(1,165		)	(229		)	(45		)	(1,191		)	(2,630		)
	Loss (Income) from discontinued operations	(3		)	55			136			(181		)	7
	Net loss	(1,168		)	(174		)	91			(1,372		)	(2,623		)
	Preferred dividends	(1,466		)	(486		)	(521		)	(506		)	(2,979		)
	Net (loss) Income available to common stockholders	(2,634		)	(660		)	(430		)	(1,878		)	(5,602		)
	Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share from:
	Continuing operations	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(1.44	)
	Discontinued operations	$	(0.00	)	$	0.01		$	0.04		$	(0.04	)	$	0
	Weighted averages shares	3,725			3,730			3,760			4,325			3,885
		Fiscal 2013 Quarters Ended,
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31			Total
	Revenue	$	11,216		$	12,943		$	13,354		$	14,052		$	51,565
	Gross profit	2,626			3,751			3,703			3,727			13,807
	Loss from continuing operations	(3,656		)	(1,918		)	(3,511		)	(2,052		)	(11,137		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	(3,050		)	(128		)	(329		)	(992		)	(4,499		)
	Net loss	(6,706		)	(2,046		)	(3,840		)	(3,044		)	(15,636		)
	Preferred dividends	—			—			(22		)	(2,853		)	(2,875		)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	(6,706		)	(2,046		)	(3,862		)	(5,897		)	(18,511		)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share from:
	Continuing operations	$	(1.02	)	$	(0.53	)	$	(0.98	)	$	(1.36	)	$	(3.90	)
	Discontinued operations	$	(0.85	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(1.25	)
	Weighted averages shares	3,595			3,593			3,593			3,600			3,595

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	item	item
Purchases | Supplier | Two suppliers
Concentration of risk
Number of suppliers	2	2
Purchases | Supplier | Supplier A
Concentration of risk
Percentage of concentration risk	48.00%	41.00%
Purchases | Supplier | Supplier B
Concentration of risk
Percentage of concentration risk	13.00%	12.00%
Total revenues | Customer | Four utility programs
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	4
Percentage of concentration risk	78.00%	75.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (Allowance for doubtful accounts, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts
Balance at the beginning of the period	$1,824	$960
Additions charged to costs and expenses	761	886
Amounts written-off	-791	-22
Balance at the end of the period	$1,794	$1,824

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Building Improvements
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Building Improvements | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Office equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Office equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Furniture | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Furniture | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Transportation equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Transportation equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Software | Minimum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Software | Maximum
Property and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		item
Revenue Recognition
Number of criteria to be met for revenue recognition		4
Billings in excess of total cost		$705,000	$1,711,000
Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts		7,407,000	6,625,000
Other Liabilities
Amount of purchases agreed by supplier over a specified period	5,300,000
Agreed period to purchases by supplier	23 months
Other liabilities		0	3,200,000
Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Costs
Advertising, marketing and promotional expenditure		$161,000	$152,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net loss per share
Weighted average shares not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive	4,498,328	2,789,908
Stock options
Net loss per share
Weighted average shares not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive	331,662	469,625
Warrants
Net loss per share
Weighted average shares not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive	0	767,643
Convertible preferred stock
Net loss per share
Weighted average shares not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive	4,166,666	655,599
Convertible debt
Net loss per share
Weighted average shares not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive	0	897,041

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-Based Compensation
Total Stock Compensation Expense	$296	$867
Stock options
Share-Based Compensation
Total Stock Compensation Expense	-8	698
Restricted stock
Share-Based Compensation
Total Stock Compensation Expense	287	169
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Share-Based Compensation
Total Stock Compensation Expense	$17

Sale_of_ESCO_Business_Details

Sale of ESCO Business (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Sale of ESCO business
Liabilities assumed				$806,000	$3,245,000
ESCO business
Sale of ESCO business
Purchase price of assets sold, subject to working capital adjustment	4,000,000
Liabilities assumed	9,800,000
Purchase price of assets sold, after application of working capital adjustment	1,900,000
Effective purchase price	11,700,000
Excess of carrying value over fair market value of business sold			3,200,000
Gain or loss resulting from sale of business		0
Maximum period from the closing for determining a final calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital to be provided by the seller	90 days
Additional consideration the buyer owed the seller determined based on the final Closing Net Working Capital						$128,000

GESPort_Charlotte_GESPC_Detail

GES-Port Charlotte (GESPC) (Details) (LEAD, GESPC, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Nov. 01, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
LEAD | GESPC
GES-Port Charlotte (GESPC)
Price paid for the membership interest	$3,300,000	$3,300,000
Contribution on part of the seller toward cost of wellfield improvements	152,300	152,300
Hold-back amount of the purchase price for the membership interest (as a percentage)	5.00%	5.00%
Hold-back amount of the purchase price for the membership interest	165,000	165,000
Total obligation assumed	400,000	400,000
Total obligation assumed monthly payments	50,000
Loss on sale of GESPC	$27,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue and loss related to discontinued operations
Revenue	$254	$6,805
Operating (Income) Loss	7	-4,499
Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations
Accounts receivable, net	404	2,423
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	209	1,019
Total current assets	613	3,442
Total Assets	613	3,442
Accounts payable	672	2,240
Accrued expenses	108	504
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	8	460
Customer deposits	18	41
Total current liabilities	806	3,245
Total Liabilities	$806	$3,245

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$4,933,000	$4,294,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-3,463,000	-2,732,000
Property and equipment, net	1,470,000	1,562,000
Depreciation expense	700,000	1,000,000
Depreciation from discontinued operations	0	203,000
Buildings & improvements
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	96,000	41,000
Construction equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	21,000	21,000
Furniture
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	340,000	338,000
Office equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	970,000	855,000
Software
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	3,177,000	2,710,000
Transportation equipment
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, gross	$329,000	$329,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		$6,009
Balance at the end of the period	6,009	6,009
Continuing Operations | AEM
Changes in goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		6,009	6,009
Balance at the end of the period	6,009	6,009	6,009
Discontinued Operations | AEM
Changes in goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,337
Sale of public sector	-5,337
Continuing and discontinuing operations
Changes in goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	11,346	6,009
Sale of public sector	-5,337
Balance at the end of the period	$6,009	$6,009

Accrued_Expenses_Details

Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses
Compensation	$513	$1,423
Interest	20
Job costs	199	73
Rent	91	151
Sales tax payable	119	1,184
Taxes		71
Preferred stock dividends	27
Other	276	5
Accrued expenses	$1,245	$2,907

Term_Loan_Details

Term Loan (Details) (GESPC, Term loan, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 03, 2011	Nov. 01, 2013
GESPC | Term loan
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Amount borrowed	$3.60
Principal amount of debt hedged under interest rate swap		$1.90
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)		6.56%

Conversion_of_Subordinated_Deb1

Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Series A Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Feb. 02, 2014	Sep. 23, 2013	Dec. 23, 2014	Oct. 22, 2012	Dec. 22, 2014	Feb. 04, 2014
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Purchase price received in cash	$4,000,000
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock		1,942,000	326,000
Series A Purchase Agreement
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Accrued dividends		1,200,000
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock				594,000
Non-cash deemed dividend					178,000
Warrants
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)	848,058					264,551
Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)						$3.78
Term of warrants	5 years					5 years
Subordinated convertible notes
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)								644,991
Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)								$4.69
Series A Preferred Stock
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors		0	957,624			926,223			0
Purchase price received in cash						2,500,000
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)		12.50%	12.50%
Accrued dividends							616,000
Satisfaction of accrued dividends through the issuance of preferred stock		1,000
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after first anniversary but before the second anniversary		102.00%
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after second anniversary but before the third anniversary		101.00%
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after third anniversary		100.00%
Beneficial conversion feature						415,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock | Minimum
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$3.50
Series A Preferred Stock | Series A Purchase Agreement
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors						926,223
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)						$10
Purchase price received in cash						2,500,000
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)	$3.58	$3.78
Series A Preferred Stock | Series A Purchase Agreement | Subsequent event
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)										$3.51
Series A Preferred Stock | Warrants
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Value of beneficial conversion feature and warrants						415,000
Series A Preferred Stock | Subordinated convertible notes | Series A Purchase Agreement
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Purchase price for preferred shares through exchange of principal amount and accrued interest of convertible debt						6,779,950
Series C Preferred Stock
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors							10,000
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)							12.50%
Accrued dividends		$27,000
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)							$2.40
Number of common shares upon conversion of Series A preferred share							3,084,261
Series C Preferred Stock | Series C Purchase Agreement
Conversion of Subordinated Debt and Sale of Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors							10,000
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)							$1,000

Subordinated_Convertible_Term_1

Subordinated Convertible Term Notes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 04, 2014	Oct. 22, 2012	Sep. 23, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 23, 2014
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Amortization of the discount		$1,439,000
Amortization of deferred issuance costs	108,000	250,000
Number of common shares upon conversion of preferred shares								5,681,198
Number of common shares upon conversion of 2014 Notes								213,500
Series C Preferred Stock
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Number of common shares upon conversion of 2014 Notes								213,500
Subordinated convertible notes
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Amount lent under purchase agreement			1,000,000	6,050,000
Term of the debt instrument	5 years		10 years
Interest rate (as a percent)	12.50%		12.50%
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)				644,991
Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)				$4.69
Warrant term				5 years
Warrants valued by using a modified Hull-White trinomial option pricing model				1,400,000
Value allocated to the Notes				4,924,000
Number of shares of common stock into which the term notes are convertible				1,179,912
Conversion price (in dollars per share)				$4.48
If-converted value of the Notes				5,286,000
Difference between the market value of the shares issuable upon conversion and the value allocated to the notes				362,000
Amortization of the discount							132,000
Remaining unamortized discount						1,200,000
Costs incurred related to issuance of the notes				37,000		34,000
Amortization of deferred issuance costs							3,000
Accrued interest	$48,000	$575,000			$712,000
Period after issuance of note that the entity will need to keep sufficient authorized shares in order to avoid a trigger event			60 days
Percentage of change of control premium at which the notes are redeemable for the period from the issuance date through the second anniversary			130.00%
Percentage of change of control premium at which the notes are redeemable for the period from the second anniversary through the fourth anniversary			120.00%
Percentage of change of control premium at which the notes are redeemable for the period after the fourth anniversary			100.00%
Subordinated convertible notes | Conversion features from issuance of debt to the first anniversary
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Number of consecutive trading days used to determine the conversion obligation on the notes			30 days
Number of trading days prior to forced conversion notice			5 days
Subordinated convertible notes | Conversion features from issuance of debt to the first anniversary | Minimum
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Percentage of the conversion price that weighted average price of the entity's common stock must exceed in order for the notes to be convertible			200.00%
Number of days within 30 consecutive trading days in which the weighted average price of the entity's common stock must exceed the conversion price for the notes to be redeemable			20 days
Subordinated convertible notes | Conversion features from first anniversary until maturity of debt
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Number of consecutive trading days used to determine the conversion obligation on the notes			30 days
Number of trading days prior to forced conversion notice			5 days
Subordinated convertible notes | Conversion features from first anniversary until maturity of debt | Minimum
Subordinated Convertible Term Notes
Percentage of the conversion price that weighted average price of the entity's common stock must exceed in order for the notes to be convertible			175.00%
Number of days within 30 consecutive trading days in which the weighted average price of the entity's common stock must exceed the conversion price for the notes to be redeemable			20 days

Sale_of_Series_B_Preferred_Sto1

Sale of Series B Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2013	Sep. 23, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 23, 2014	Dec. 22, 2014	Jan. 29, 2014
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Preferred dividends satisfied through issuance of preferred stock	$1,942,000	$326,000
Number of common shares upon conversion of Series B preferred share						2,383,437
Warrants
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)			848,058	264,551
Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)				$3.78
Term of warrants			5 years	5 years
Series B Preferred Stock
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors	0	401,232	400,000				0	200,000
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)		12.50%
Accrued dividends	732,000
Preferred dividends satisfied through issuance of preferred stock	1,000				349,000
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$2.83
Number of days in trading period used to determine conversion		30 days
Number of days within trading period in which closing price equals or exceeds threshold prior to forced conversion by the company		5 days
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent before the first anniversary of the issuance		103.00%
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after first anniversary but before the second anniversary		102.00%
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after second anniversary but before the third anniversary		101.00%
Percentage of redemption factor at which preferred shares are redeemable if notice is sent after third anniversary		100.00%
Value of beneficial conversion feature and warrants	832,000
Series B Preferred Stock | Series B Purchase Agreement Series B Investors
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors			400,000
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)			10
Series B Preferred Stock | Series B Purchase Agreement Greener Capital
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors								200,000
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)								10
Series B Preferred Stock | Minimum
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$2.50
Percentage of common stock closing price that triggers conversion		200.00%
Number of days within trading period in which closing price equals or exceeds threshold to trigger conversion		20 days
Series C Preferred Stock
Sale of Series Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors						10,000
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)						12.50%
Accrued dividends	27,000
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)						$2.40
Accrued interest						$383,000
Number of common shares upon conversion of Series B preferred share						2,383,437

Sale_of_Series_C_Preferred_Sto1

Sale of Series C Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 23, 2014	Dec. 22, 2014	Sep. 23, 2013	Jan. 29, 2014	Dec. 30, 2013
			item
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$380	$40
Shareholder Agreement | Bison
Number of directors who shall be appointed			1
Percentage of average daily trading volume of common stock triggering sale			10
Shareholder Agreement | Bison | Minimum
Total voting power to be held to be eligible to execute rights (as a percent)			5
Series C Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors			10,000
Preferred Shares dividend payable term (in months)	6 months
Dividends Accrued	27
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)			12.50%
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)			2.4
Maximum percentage of outstanding common stock into which the preferred stock may be converted (as a percent)			19.99
Period after notice, after which the preferred stock may be redeemed			30 days
Dividend rate per annum if the preferred stock is not redeemed on requirement (as a percent)			15
Increase in the dividend rate each quarter if the preferred stock is not redeemed on requirement (as a percent)			1
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	367
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued			10,000
Series C Preferred Stock | Shareholder Agreement | Bison
Period after sale in which the sold shares are to be purchased by the company on requirement			9 months
Period immediately preceding giving notice of exercise, used to calculate the purchase price			60 days
Series A Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors	0	957,624		0	926,223
Dividends Accrued			616
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)	12.50%	12.50%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	957,624		0	926,223
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	957,624		0
Series A Preferred Stock | Minimum
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)	$3.50
Series B Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors	0	401,232		0		200,000	400,000
Dividends Accrued	732
Accruing dividend per annum on preferred shares (as a percent)		12.50%
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$2.83
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	401,232		0		200,000	400,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	401,232		0
Series B Preferred Stock | Minimum
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$2.50
Series A Purchase Agreement
Dividends Accrued	$1,200
Series A Purchase Agreement | Series A Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors					926,223
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)					10
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)	$3.78						3.58
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued					926,223
Series C Purchase Agreement | Series C Preferred Stock
Shares purchased by investors			10,000
Sale price per share (in dollars per share)			1,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued			10,000

Letter_of_Credit_Agreement_Det

Letter of Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2014	Dec. 07, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 12, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014	Dec. 07, 2012
Letter of Credit Agreement
Deferred financing cost recorded to letter of credit fees			$22,000
Letter of credit agreement. | Richard Kiphart.
Letter of Credit Agreement
Aggregate borrowing capacity	1,300,000	1,000,000			1,300,000	1,000,000
Number of business days from receipt of Mr. Kiphart's written demand to pay indemnification, fees and expenses	10 days	10 days
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)				50,000
Exercise price of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (in dollars per share)				$4.04
Fair value of warrant at date of issuance	100,000				100,000
Deferred financing cost recorded to letter of credit fees			100,000
Interest rate			6.00%
Accrued interest			$33,000
Letter of credit agreement. | Richard Kiphart. | Minimum
Letter of Credit Agreement
Number of letters of credit issued	1	1

Interest_Expense_Details

Interest Expense (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest expense
Expense relating to unused line fees		$41	$3
Total Contractual Interest		89	746
Other			1
Change in value of interest rate swap			-12
Amortization of deferred issuance costs and debt discount		100	1,689
Total Interest Expense		189	2,424
Continuing operations		189	2,052
Discontinued operations			372
Term loans
Interest expense
Interest Expense, Debt			168
Subordinated convertible notes
Interest expense
Interest Expense, Debt	$712	$48	$575

Lease_Commitments_Details

Lease Commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Lease Commitments
Rent paid for offices leased from unrelated third parties	$736,000	$739,000
Future annual minimum rentals to be paid under non-cancellable operating leases
2015	479,000
2016	302,000
2017	146,000
2018	133,000
2019	134,000
2020	132,000
2021	130,000
2022	20,000
Total	$1,476,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred
Federal	($645,000)	($6,245,000)
State	-122,000	-1,511,000
Change in valuation allowance	767,000	7,756,000
Deferred Tax Assets:
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	45,693,000	53,862,000
Stock-based compensation	470,000	6,242,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	829,000	1,190,000
Goodwill		151,000
Property & equipment	-120,000	56,000
Other	254,000	643,000
Amortization of intangibles		1,129,000
Valuation allowance	-47,126,000	-63,273,000
Reconciliation of the statutory federal rate of 34% and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations
Federal income tax at statutory rate (as a percent)	34.00%	34.00%
Cancellation of debt income (as a percentage)	-3.00%	0.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit (as a percent)	1.00%	6.00%
Other (as a percent)	0.00%	9.00%
Preferred Dividends (as a percent)	-18.00%	0.00%
Valuation Reserve (as a percent)	-14.00%	-49.00%
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Uncertain tax positions
Uncertain tax positions	0
Period of statute of limitations applicable to the entity's income tax returns	3 years
U.S. federal
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	145,000,000
Net operating loss carryforwards which may expire unused due to Section 382 limitations	30,000,000
State
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$130,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Indemnification, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and contingencies
Indemnification insurance coverage incurred	$6.20
Minimum
Commitments and contingencies
Possible costs exceeding indemnification insurance coverage	6.5
Maximum
Commitments and contingencies
Possible costs exceeding indemnification insurance coverage	$7

Equity_Transactions_Details

Equity Transactions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2013	Sep. 23, 2013	Jan. 29, 2014	Dec. 23, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 04, 2014	Oct. 22, 2012	Dec. 22, 2014
	item
Stock options
Number of common shares upon conversion of Series B preferred share				2,383,437
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion				5,681,198
Number of common shares upon conversion of 2014 Notes				213,500
Warrants
Number of investors to whom Series B preferred stock and warrants are issued to purchase shares of common stock	2
Purchase price received in cash	$4,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock
Stock options
Shares purchased by investors		926,223			0	957,624			0
Warrants
Purchase price received in cash		2,500,000
Series B Preferred Stock
Stock options
Shares purchased by investors	400,000		200,000		0	401,232			0
Warrants
Purchase price received in cash			2,000,000
Series C Preferred Stock
Stock options
Shares purchased by investors				10,000
Number of common shares upon conversion of Series B preferred share				2,383,437
Number of common shares upon conversion of 2014 Notes				213,500
Amount received on issuance of shares				10,000,000
Warrants
Warrants
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)	565,372	264,551
Stock options
Stock options
Closing bid price (in dollars per share)					2.93
Restricted stock
Stock options
Shares granted					118,958	92,812
Restricted stock | Senior employees
Stock options
Shares granted					30,157	49,951
Number of employees to whom shares are issued						5
Number of employees to whom shares are granted					2
Directors' Plan | Restricted stock | Outside directors
Stock options
Shares granted					88,801	43,489
Number of directors to whom shares are granted					8	5
Portion of award vesting upon grant date (as a percent)					50.00%	50.00%
Portion of award vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date (as a percent)					50.00%	50.00%
Subordinated convertible notes
Stock options
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt							$1,000,000	$6,050,000
Warrants
Warrant issued to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)								644,991

Stock_Options_Details

Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 26, 2008	Jun. 04, 2008	Mar. 25, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Stock options
Stock options
Expiration term of award	10 years
Plan
Stock options
Shares authorized	201,425	90,000	40,000	407,143	161,429
Additional number of shares reserved for issuance per year		35,715	14,286
Number of eligible employees to participate in the plan	161
Plan | ISO
Stock options
Maximum aggregate fair market value of shares under options granted required to qualify as an ISO	100,000
Term of options	10 years
Plan | ISO | Minimum
Stock options
Exercise price expressed as a percentage of the fair market value	100.00%
Plan | ISO | Minimum | Participant who owns more than 10%
Stock options
Exercise price expressed as a percentage of the fair market value	110.00%
Ownership percentage that triggers a higher exercise price	10.00%
November, 2008 amendment of the 2008 Plan
Stock options
Increase in number of shares authorized		50,000
Increase in additional number of shares reserved for issuance per year		21,429
March, 2010 amendment of the 2008 Plan
Stock options
Increase in number of shares authorized				245,714

Stock_Options_Details_2

Stock Options (Details 2) (Stock options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	446,634	508,636
Granted (in shares)	20,000	2,859
Forfeited (in shares)	-364,419	-64,861
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	102,215	446,634
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	68,999	340,557	351,949
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$36.82	$37
Granted (in dollars per share)	$2.57	$4.27
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$45.55	$36.76
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$21.78	$36.82
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$23.59	$39.84	$42
Minimum
Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$3.64	$3.64
Granted (in dollars per share)	$2.57	$4.27
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$4.27	$22.82
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$2.57	$3.64
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$2.57	$3.64	$22.82
Maximum
Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$1,675.80	$1,844.85
Granted (in dollars per share)	$2.57	$4.27
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$1,675.80	$1,844.85
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$455.70	$1,675.80
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$455.70	$1,675.80	$1,844.85

Stock_Options_Details_3

Stock Options (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
$2.57 - $3.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$2.57
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$3
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	20,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	9 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.57
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	6,666
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$2.57
$3.01 - $5.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$3.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$5
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	14,286
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.64
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	14,286
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$3.64
$5.01 - $6.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$5.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$6
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	7,143
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.25
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	4,762
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$5.25
$6.01 - $30.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$6.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$30
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	24,905
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$24.91
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	24,905
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$24.91
$30.01 - $40.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$30.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$40
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	24,019
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$31.97
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	6,518
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$33.25
$40.01 - $50.00
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$40.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$50
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	7,789
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$49.21
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	7,789
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$49.21
$50.01 - $455.70
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$50.01
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$455.70
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	4,073
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$76.94
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	4,073
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$76.94
$2.57 - $455.70
Stock options outstanding
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$2.57
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$455.70
Options Outstanding
Number Outstanding (in shares)	102,215
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$21.78
Options Exercisable
Number Exercisable (in shares)	68,999
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$23.59

Stock_Options_Details_4

Stock Options (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant assumptions (weighted average):
Stock compensation expense	$296,000	$867,000
Stock options
Stock options
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$2.93
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options if exercised	2,400
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options	0
Weighted-average fair value per option granted (in dollars per share)	$0.63	$1.98
Significant assumptions (weighted average):
Risk-free interest rate at grant date (as a percent)	0.03%	0.02%
Expected stock price volatility (as a percent)	63.00%	62.00%
Expected option life	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 8 months 12 days
Expected turn-over rate (as a percent)	32.10%	4.80%
Expected exercise multiple	2.2	2.2
Stock compensation expense	($8,000)	$698,000

Stock_Options_Details_5

Stock Options (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock options
Unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized
2015	$5,600
2016	1,200
Total unrecognized compensation expense	6,800
Cliff Options
Unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized
Total unrecognized compensation expense	$293,000

Restricted_Stock_Details

Restricted Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 03, 2010
Additional disclosure
Share based compensation expense	$296,000	$867,000
Restricted stock
Restricted Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	62,584	12,871
Granted (in shares)	118,958	92,812
Vested (in shares)	-92,870	-40,732
Forfeited (in shares)	-15,339	-2,367
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	73,333	62,584
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.22	$25.43
Granted (in dollars per share)	$3.41	$3.22
Vested (in dollars per share)	$3.42	$8.50
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$4.89	$6.83
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$2.79	$4.22
Additional disclosure
Share based compensation expense	287,000	169,000
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	103
Weighted Average Remaining Life	8 years 4 months 24 days
Senior employees | Restricted stock
Restricted Shares
Granted (in shares)	30,157	49,951
Additional disclosure
Number of employees to whom shares are granted	2
Directors' Plan
Stock options
Term in which remaining shares vest after initial grant			1 year
Directors' Plan | Board service | Director | Restricted stock
Stock options
Grant date market value of shares granted upon initial election			40,000
Market value of annual grants			20,000
Directors' Plan | Audit Committee | Richard Kiphart. | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			15,000
Directors' Plan | Audit Committee | Members | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			10,000
Directors' Plan | Compensation Committee | Richard Kiphart. | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			10,000
Directors' Plan | Compensation Committee | Members | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			5,000
Directors' Plan | Nominating Committee | Richard Kiphart. | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			5,000
Directors' Plan | Nominating Committee | Members | Restricted stock
Stock options
Market value of annual grants			2,500
2009 Management Incentive Compensation Plan | Senior managers | Restricted stock
Stock options
Vesting period		3 years

Employee_Stock_Purchase_Plan_D

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 25, 2014
Stock options
Compensation expense	$296	$867
2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Stock options
Offering period	1 year
Shares authorized			42,858
Discount on closing market price (as a percent)	15.00%
Compensation expense	$17

Reverse_Stock_Split_Details

Reverse Stock Split (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 10, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Reverse Stock Split
Reverse stock split ratio	0.1429
Minimum share price requirement for continued listing on NASDAQ (in dollars per share)		$1

Legal_Matters_Details

Legal Matters (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2014	Apr. 09, 2013
	item	item
Legal Matters
Number of interviews scheduled	3
Kuberski v. Lime Energy Co.
Legal Matters
Number of cases consolidated		2

Related_Parties_Details

Related Parties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 04, 2014	Oct. 22, 2012	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 23, 2014
				item
Number of investors with whom the entity entered in a Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement				2
Percentage of ownership of stockholders for which there is no written policy concerning transactions	5.00%
Series C Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued					10,000
Series C Preferred Stock | Series C Purchase Agreement
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued					10,000
Subordinated convertible notes
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		$1,000,000	$6,050,000

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Business Segment Information
Number of operating segments	1

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Revenues	$17,361	$15,585	$13,590	$12,280	$14,052	$13,354	$12,943	$11,216	$58,816	$51,565
Gross Profit	4,661	4,850	4,414	3,729	3,727	3,703	3,751	2,626	17,654	13,807
Loss from continuing operations	-1,191	-45	-229	-1,165	-2,052	-3,511	-1,918	-3,656	-2,630	-11,137
Loss (Income) from discontinued operations	-181	136	55	-3	-992	-329	-128	-3,050	7	-4,499
Net loss	-1,372	91	-174	-1,168	-3,044	-3,840	-2,046	-6,706	-2,623	-15,636
Preferred dividends	-506	-521	-486	-1,466	-2,853	-22			-2,979	-2,875
Net (loss) Income available to common stockholders	($1,878)	($430)	($660)	($2,634)	($5,897)	($3,862)	($2,046)	($6,706)	($5,602)	($18,511)
Basic and diluted loss per common share from:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($0.39)	($0.15)	($0.06)	($0.31)	($1.36)	($0.98)	($0.53)	($1.02)	($1.44)	($3.90)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	($0.04)	$0.04	$0.01	$0	($0.28)	($0.09)	($0.04)	($0.85)	$0	($1.25)
Weighted average shares	4,325,000	3,760,000	3,730,000	3,725,000	3,600,000	3,593,000	3,593,000	3,595,000	3,884,826	3,595,379

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 23, 2014	Aug. 04, 2014	Oct. 22, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 24, 2015
Series C Preferred Stock
Subsequent events
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	10,000
Convertible Preferred Stock, Maximum Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock into which Preferred Stock may be Converted	19.99
Subordinated convertible notes
Subsequent events
Amount lent under purchase agreement		$1,000,000	$6,050,000
Conversion price (in dollars per share)			$4.48
Subsequent event | Bison | Director
Subsequent events
Number of directors				2
Subsequent event | Bison | Series C Preferred Stock
Subsequent events
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued				10,000
Conversion from preferred stock to common stock (as a percent)				30.00%
Subsequent event | Subordinated convertible notes | Bison
Subsequent events
Amount lent under purchase agreement				11,750,000
Interest rate, minimum (as a percent)				10.50%
Interest rate, maximum (as a percent)				12.50%
Conversion price (in dollars per share)				3.16
Convertible Preferred Stock, Maximum Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock into which Preferred Stock may be Converted				19.99
Subsequent event | Subordinated convertible notes | Bison | Default
Subsequent events
Interest rate increases (as a percent)				2.00%
Subsequent event | Subordinated convertible notes | Bison | EBITDA targets not met
Subsequent events
Additional Interest				1,000,000
Subsequent event | EnerPath Member
Subsequent events
Consideration paid in connection with acquisition					$11,000,000