SPI Energy (SPI) 10-Q 19 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 19, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Solar Power, Inc.	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	198,214,456
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001210618	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$904	$17,823
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,746 and $393, respectively	16,646	43,807
Accounts receivable, related party	8,039	11,858
Notes receivable	15,165	14,120
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	22,420	31,423
Construction in progress	'	16,078
Inventories, net	1,239	1,618
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,766	4,267
Restricted cash	'	20
Total current assets	70,179	141,014
Intangible assets	1,275	1,703
Restricted cash	400	400
Accounts receivable, noncurrent	12,816	'
Notes receivable, noncurrent	29,347	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost, net	18,257	18,754
Other assets	647	958
Total assets	132,921	162,829
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	11,845	15,709
Accounts payable, related party	48,979	51,804
Lines of credit	6,558	10,877
Accrued liabilities	4,168	6,536
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	817	4,935
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, related party	'	49
Loans payable and capital lease obligations	28,613	28,601
Total current liabilities	100,980	118,511
Financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	17,312	18,760
Other liabilities	1,425	1,436
Total liabilities	119,717	138,707
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par $0.0001, 20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par $0.0001, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 198,214,456 shares, issued and outstanding	20	20
Additional paid in capital	50,979	48,219
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-408	-287
Accumulated deficit	-37,387	-23,830
Total stockholders’ equity	13,204	24,122
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$132,921	$162,829

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$4,746	$393
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in Shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in Shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in Shares)	0	0
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in Shares)	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in Shares)	198,214,456	198,214,456
Common stock, shares outstanding (in Shares)	198,214,456	198,214,456

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales:	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$21,289,000	$23,762,000	$27,254,000	$53,482,000
Net sales, related party	0	12,470,000	0	33,473,000
Total net sales	21,289,000	36,232,000	27,254,000	86,955,000
Cost of goods sold:	'	'	'	'
Cost of goods sold	22,151,000	19,606,000	26,632,000	44,266,000
Cost of goods sold, related party	0	11,410,000	0	31,002,000
Provision for losses on contracts	'	'	85,000	'
Total cost of goods sold	22,151,000	31,016,000	26,717,000	75,268,000
Gross profit	-862,000	5,216,000	537,000	11,687,000
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative	2,668,000	3,214,000	11,619,000	8,688,000
Sales, marketing and customer service	376,000	1,600,000	1,554,000	4,604,000
Engineering, design and product	379,000	423,000	1,136,000	1,725,000
Impairment charge	'	5,178,000	'	5,890,000
Total operating expenses	3,423,000	10,415,000	14,309,000	20,907,000
Operating loss	-4,285,000	-5,199,000	-13,772,000	-9,220,000
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-1,085,000	-1,270,000	-3,098,000	-3,094,000
Interest income	1,333,000	741,000	2,723,000	2,022,000
Other income	331,000	165,000	578,000	290,000
Total other income (expense), net	579,000	-364,000	203,000	-782,000
Loss before income taxes	-3,706,000	-5,563,000	-13,569,000	-10,002,000
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	-123,000	1,645,000	-12,000	419,000
Net loss	($3,583,000)	($7,208,000)	($13,557,000)	($10,421,000)
Net loss per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic and Diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.02)	($0.04)	($0.07)	($0.06)
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing per share amounts:	'	'	'	'
Basic and Diluted (in Shares)	198,214,456	194,573,007	198,214,456	187,858,579

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net loss	($3,583)	($7,208)	($13,557)	($10,421)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-15	-99	-121	-131
Comprehensive loss	($3,598)	($7,307)	($13,678)	($10,552)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($13,557)	($10,421)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	846	831
Amortization	428	536
Stock-based compensation expense	158	409
Bad debt expense	5,145	88
Provision for obsolete inventory	'	142
Provision for warranty	'	162
Amortization of loan fees	'	90
Amortization of warrant cost to interest expense	'	94
Loss (gain) on sales of fixed assets	7	-15
Change in deferred taxes	-173	31
Provision for losses on contracts	85	'
Impairment charge	'	5,890
Operating expense (income) from solar system subject to financing obligation	-1,059	-839
Other non-cash activity	-11	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	9,401	15,836
Accounts receivable, related party	3,945	-3,692
Notes receivable	-29,347	'
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts	8,990	-13,618
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts, related party	'	360
Construction in process	15,993	-16,329
Inventories	405	4,235
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,150	-3,141
Accounts payable	-3,970	12,844
Accounts payable, related party	-346	-9,184
Income taxes payable	72	-102
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-4,111	196
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, related party	-49	-2,804
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities	-2,344	3,582
Net cash used in operating activities	-10,642	-14,819
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from repayment on notes receivable	275	2,286
Issuance of notes receivable	-1,320	-9,431
Proceeds from disposal or sale of fixed assets	13	424
Proceeds from sale of asset held for sale	'	1,500
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	-195	-1,033
Net cash from investing activities	-1,227	-6,254
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from line of credit and loans payable	2,666	22,939
Proceeds from sale leaseback	'	6,284
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	20	415
Cash distributions in connection with the transfer of entities under common control	'	-251
Principal payments on loans payable and capital lease obligations	-7,538	-12,320
Net cash from financing activities	-4,852	17,067
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-198	-142
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-16,919	-4,148
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	17,823	24,523
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	904	20,375
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	1,420	939
Cash paid for income taxes	165	214
Non-cash activities:	'	'
Debt forgiveness from related party	2,602	'
Acquisition of an entity under common control financed with stock	'	6,031
Assignment of loan associated with asset held for sale	'	$4,153

Note_1_Description_of_Business

Note 1 - Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business
	Solar Power, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) consist of the combination of the legacy reporting entity Solar Power, Inc. and Solar Green Technology S.p.A. (“SGT”) and their respective subsidiaries. Refer to Note 5— Acquisition of Solar Green Technology for further details of the accounting impact of the SGT acquisition.
	The Company is a global solar energy facility (“SEF”) developer offering our own brand of high-quality, low-cost distributed generation and utility-scale SEF development services. Primarily, the Company partners with developers around the world who hold large portfolios of SEF projects for whom it serves as co-developer and engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contractor.
	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. They should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes to the financial statements of Solar Power, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 appearing in Solar Power, Inc.’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 19, 2013. The September 30, 2013 and 2012 unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on Form 10-Q have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for smaller reporting companies and include the accounts of Solar Power, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Upon consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
	Preparation of these financial statements requires management to make certain judgments, estimates and assumptions. These may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. They also may affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Key estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements include: contract percentage-of-completion and cost estimates, construction in progress, allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, warranty reserve, deferred taxes, valuation of inventory, and valuation of other intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters.
	Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company’s management believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operation for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support its working capital requirements.

Note_2_Going_Concern_Considera

Note 2 - Going Concern Considerations and Management's Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Policy Text Block [Abstract]	'
Liquidity Disclosure [Policy Text Block]	'
	2. Going Concern Considerations and Management’s Plan
	As shown in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company incurred a net loss of $3.6 million and $13.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and has an accumulated deficit of $37.3 million as of September 30, 2013. Working capital levels have decreased significantly from positive $61.1 million at December 31, 2011 to negative $30.8 million at September 30, 2013. The Company’s parent company, LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (“LDK”), who owns approximately 71% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, has disclosed publicly that it had a net loss and negative cash flows from operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 and has a working capital deficit and was not in compliance with certain financial covenants on its indebtedness at December 31, 2012. These factors raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. While management of the Company believes that it has a plan to satisfy liquidity requirements through December 31, 2013, there is no assurance that its plan will be successfully implemented. The Company is experiencing the following risks and uncertainties in the business:
		•	China Development Bank (“CDB”) has provided financing for construction and project financing on certain development projects in the past. They have also executed non-binding term sheets for other projects, but there is no assurance that the projects in process will be funded. CDB has been financing the Company’s projects primarily because the Company’s majority shareholder is LDK and CDB has a long term relationship with LDK. Due to LDK’s financial difficulties, certain financing of the Company’s projects have been delayed. If CDB will no longer provide financing for the projects, the Company will need to seek construction financing from other sources which could be very difficult given the Company’s financial condition and LDK’s majority ownership of the Company. The company has completed projects in Greece with a customer that is requesting debt term financing from CDB. Because CDB has not yet provided the term financing, the Company will collect its outstanding receivables from the operation’s cash proceeds over an extended period of time of up to six years and has reflected the receivables as noncurrent on the balance sheet. However, the customer continues to have discussions with CDB about financing, and if financing is obtained, collection of our receivables may be accelerated. The company has also completed an additional commercial scale project in New Jersey with KDC Solar, which is currently seeking debt term financing from CDB. Because CDB has not yet provided the term financing, the Company will collect its outstanding notes receivables from the operation’s cash proceeds over an extended period of time of up to fifteen years and has reflected the receivables as noncurrent on the balance sheet. However, the customer continues to have discussions with CDB about financing, and if financing is obtained, collection of our receivables may be accelerated. Due to the financing delays which have caused delays in the collection of our receivables, the Company is not currently able to repay the CDB construction finance facilities entered into on December 31, 2011 which are due on December 31, 2013. The Company is currently negotiating an extension of the maturity date of the CDB construction facilities.
		•	A key term of existing project financing with CDB is that the Company must use solar panels manufactured by LDK. Currently, however, LDK has demanded payment in advance in order to procure their solar panels. If the Company is unable to make advance payments required, the Company has and will continue to need to request its customers to make the required cash payments for the LDK solar panels to be utilized in projects under development. The Company continues to maintain relationships with other solar panel manufacturers when circumstances call for an alternative to LDK’s line of solar panels.
		•	In December 2012, the Company amended the Business Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") entered into with Cathay Bank ("Cathay") on December 26, 2011. Under the original terms of the Loan Agreement, Cathay agreed to extend the Company a line of credit of the lesser of $9.0 million or 70% the aggregate amount in certain accounts, which was to mature on December 31, 2012. LDK, the majority shareholder of the Company, agreed to guarantee the full amount of the loan under a Commercial Guaranty by and between LDK and Cathay dated December 26, 2011. Under the terms of the amended Loan Agreement, the facility amount was reduced to the then current balance outstanding of $7.0 million, with a variable interest rate of 2.00 percentage points above the prime rate and a 6.00 percentage point floor rate. In addition, the maturity date was extended to June 30, 2013 with principal payments of $0.5 million due each month beginning December 31, 2012. The covenants of the Loan Agreement were amended to include, among other items, the subordination of the net accounts payable due to LDK. In addition, under the Commercial Security Agreement dated December 26, 2011 (the "Security Agreement"), the Company granted Cathay a security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement), which Cathay can close on in the event of a default under the Loan Agreement. In the event that the Company does not make the principal payment, the bank could issue a notice of default and declare the amounts immediately due and payable. If the Company cannot remedy the default, the Company currently does not have the ability to make the payments without additional sources of financing or accelerating the collection of outstanding receivables. On August 15, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Cathay whereby Cathay agreed, subject to certain conditions precedent, to forbear from foreclosing on the security interest securing the Loan Agreement until September 30, 2013. In connection with the forbearance, the Company agreed to pay Cathay the outstanding and unpaid balance of the loan on September 30, 2013. In addition, as of September 30, 2013, the interest rate under the loan equals 11 percent. All proceeds from the sale of projects and any payments received from KDC shall be applied to loan payment. The forbearance agreement expired on September 30, 2013 without payment being made and the Company is currently negotiating another forbearance agreement.
		•	The Company’s existing CDB loans and Cathay line of credit contain material adverse change (“MAC”) clauses under which the banks can declare amounts immediately due and payable. Due to the subjectivity of the MAC clauses, it is not clear whether the events described above would represent a material adverse change. Should the banks declare amounts immediately due and payable under the MAC clauses, the Company does not have the ability to make the payments without additional sources of financing or accelerating the collection of its outstanding receivables.
		•	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had accounts payable to LDK of $49.0 million comprised of $42.9 million due to LDK primarily related to U.S. and Greek project solar panel purchases and $6.1 million due to LDK for solar panels purchased for various Italian solar development projects. Of the $49.0 million due to LDK noted above, the entire amount is currently contractually past due and payable to LDK. Payment for the solar development project related panels was contractually due to LDK within four months of their purchases; however the payment terms with the customer were negotiated to be collected within nine to twelve months from sale. Although this portion of the payable to LDK is currently contractually past due, LDK has not demanded payment. Although there are no formal agreements, LDK has verbally indicated that it will not demand payment until the receivable from the customer has been collected. Should LDK change its position and demand payment for the past due amount prior to collection of the related receivable from the customer, the Company currently does not have the ability to make the payment currently due without additional sources of financing or accelerating the collection of our outstanding receivables.
		•	With LDK as a majority shareholder, the significant risks and uncertainties noted at LDK could have a significant negative impact on the financial viability of the Company as well as indicate an inability for LDK to support the Company’s business.
		•	A customer has informed us that they plan to return $2.9 million in solar panels purchased in 2011. The customer alleges that the panels are defective, but the Company believes that the customer is just trying to return product from a cancelled project. The Company has set-up a bad debt reserve of $2.9 million dollars as a result and it will vigorously pursue collection of the outstanding debt obligation. The Company filed a complaint on July 26, 2013 to obtain full payment.
	The significant risks and uncertainties described above could have a significant negative impact on the financial viability of the Company and raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management has made changes to the Company’s business model to increase working capital by managing cash flow, securing project financing before commencing further project development, and requesting that the Company’s customers make cash payments for solar panels for projects under development. If the noted banks should call the debt or LDK demand payment of amounts owed by the Company prior to collection of the related receivables, management plans to obtain additional debt or equity financing. There is no assurance that management’s plans to accelerate the collection of outstanding receivables or to obtain additional debt or equity financing will be successfully implemented, or implemented on terms favorable to the Company. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $0.9 million and $17.8 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents. The Company expects that anticipated collections of trade accounts receivable will sustain it at least through the fourth quarter of 2013. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Note_3_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Note_4_Recently_Issued_Account

Note 4 - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	'
	4. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which simplifies the guidance for testing the decline in the realizable value (impairment) of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. An organization is now allowed to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. The Company adopted these changes on January 1, 2013. Adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income—Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, entities are required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The Company adopted these changes on January 1, 2013. Adoption of these changes did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In March 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters—Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity, which allows an entity to release cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-07, Liquidation Basis of Accounting, which require an entity to use the liquidation basis of accounting to present its financial statements when it determines that liquidation is imminent, unless the liquidation is the same as that under the plan specified in an entity’s governing documents created at its inception. Liquidation is imminent when the likelihood is remote that the entity will return from liquidation and either (a) a plan for liquidation is approved by the person or persons with the authority to make such a plan effective and the likelihood is remote that the execution of the plan will be blocked by other parties or (b) a plan for liquidation is being imposed by other forces (for example, involuntary bankruptcy). These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Entities should apply the requirements prospectively from the day that liquidation becomes imminent. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes—Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which provides that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note_5_Acquisition_of_Solar_Gr

Note 5 - Acquisition of Solar Green Technology	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]	'
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	5. Acquisition of Solar Green Technology
	On June 27, 2012, Solar Power, Inc. entered into an Acquisition and Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 25, 2012 (the “SGT Agreement”) with the shareholders of SGT, an Italian-based limited liability company. Under the SGT Agreement, Solar Power, Inc. acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SGT from SGT shareholders in exchange for 5.0 million Euros (approximately $6.3 million U.S. Dollars) payable in cash and common stock of the Company (the “Purchase Price”). The acquisition of SGT complements the Company’s global growth strategy. The shareholders of SGT consisted of LDK Solar Europe Holding S.A (“LDK Europe”) and the two founders of SGT. LDK Europe, through its 70% ownership of the outstanding common stock of SGT, controlled SGT prior to the close of the transaction. LDK Europe is the wholly owned subsidiary of LDK, which owned approximately 71% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company prior to and after the date of the acquisition of SGT. In July 2012, the Company issued 9,771,223 shares of its Common Stock to LDK Europe and 1,814,655 shares of its Common Stock to each of the two founders of SGT. In addition, the Company agreed to pay each of the two founders 100,000 Euros in cash, the payments of which were made in July 2012.
	The amount of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that were issued under the SGT Agreement were determined by calculating the amount of the Purchase Price payable to each shareholder divided by the daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock for each of the 90 trading days prior to June 11, 2012.
	Because SGT and Solar Power, Inc. were under the common control of LDK as of the June 27, 2012 acquisition date, the acquisition is treated as a transaction between entities under common control. In accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations these financial statements reflect the combination of Solar Power, Inc. and SGT’s financial statements for all periods presented under which both entities were under the common control of LDK. The predecessor entity was determined to be SGT due to the fact that SGT was the first entity controlled by LDK. LDK obtained a controlling interest in SGT on July 10, 2009. LDK obtained a controlling interest in Solar Power, Inc. on March 31, 2011. As such, the Company recognized the assets and liabilities of SGT (the accounting receiving entity) at their historical carrying values in accordance with U.S. GAAP and has recast the assets and liabilities of the legacy Solar Power, Inc. entity (the transferring entity) to reflect carrying value of the parent, LDK, which were stepped up to fair value on March 31, 2011 upon LDK obtaining a controlling interest in Solar Power, Inc. Refer to Note 7 —Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for details of the balances carried by LDK now reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note_6_Accounts_and_Notes_Rece

Note 6 - Accounts and Notes Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Accounts and Notes Receivable
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company recognized $13.9 million revenue under the completed-contract method and recorded a receivable of $8.8 million (originally denominated in euro’s) related to the sale of its Greece projects. Due to the delay in the customer receiving term financing from CDB, the receivable is currently being collected over a six year agreed upon payment schedule, plus variable interest. The difference of $5.1 million between revenue recognized and account receivable balance relates to prior payments received from the customer which had been recorded as a customer deposit within accrued liabilities. Due to the extended collection period, $1.6 million of the accounts receivable is recorded as current and $7.1 million is recorded in accounts receivable, noncurrent. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company reclassified $5.9 million of existing accounts receivables from a second unrelated customer to noncurrent based on the expected collection period which is anticipated to exceed one year. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has $1.5 million recorded in accounts receivable, current and $5.7 million recorded in accounts receivable, noncurrent from this second customer.
	The Company agreed to advance to customer KDC predevelopment and site acquisition costs related to the Imclone EPC agreement between KDC and the Company and recorded the amount as notes receivable. The terms of the EPC agreement require repayment of the advance upon final completion of the SEF, which was expected to occur in the first half of 2013 but is now expected to occur in the first half of 2014 as the project did not break ground until the second quarter of 2013. The advance bears interest at the rate of 5% per year that is payable at the time the principal is repaid. Through consideration of credit quality indicators including KDC’s position as one of largest privately held independent power producers on the East Coast and our past experience with successful and timely collections on past projects with KDC, collectability was reasonably assured for revenue recognition on these contracts with KDC. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the balance of the note receivable from this customer was $6.7 million and $7.0 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in the current notes receivable.
	During the second quarter of 2013, the Company issued a note receivable to KDC for one completed contract with 15 year payment terms which began on the commercial operations date which was April 2013. The Company issued another note receivable to KDC for a second project that has not yet been completed. Both notes bear interest of LIBOR plus 460bps. If the customer obtains debt term financing for their project, the collection of these notes receivable may be accelerated.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the balance recorded in noncurrent notes receivable related to this customer was $29.3 million and none, respectively. As a result of this transaction, the Company incorrectly reported a $20.6 million issuance of notes receivable and proceeds of $3.6 million from repayment on notes receivable as investing activities within the statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013. In addition, the Company incorrectly disclosed a non-cash investing activity of $13.6 million for the reclassification of accounts receivable to notes receivable. These transactions have been corrected in the statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	On April 27, 2012, the Company made a secured loan of $1.0 million to Solar Hub Utilities, LLC (“Solar Hub”), to be used for pre-development costs. On June 8, 2012, the Company agreed to advance Solar Hub up to $9.0 million under a new $9.0 million secured promissory note, which refinanced the original $1.0 million advance and bears a 6 percent annual interest rate. In March 2013, the interest was changed to a 10% annual interest rate in accordance with the Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note. This note receivable is secured by the project assets. Repayment in full of all borrowed amounts was due on December 31, 2012 but, in March 2013, was extended to a new maturity date of July 1, 2014 in accordance with the Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the balance of the note receivable from Solar Hub was $8.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in current notes receivable.

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The carrying value of goodwill was $5.2 million at December 31, 2011, all of which was allocated to the Company’s single reportable segment. Of this balance, $4.7 million reflected the balance of Solar Power, Inc. carried by its parent company, LDK, as required under the accounting guidelines for a transfer of an entity under common control (refer to Note 5— Acquisition of Solar Green Technology ). During the three months ended September 30, 2012, due primarily to the reduction in the Company’s market capitalization, the Company’s market value was significantly below its book value, thus triggering an impairment analysis. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $5.2 million. As a result, the balance of goodwill as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was zero.
	Other Intangible Assets
	Resulting from the June 2012 acquisition of SGT, reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company are certain intangible assets, namely patent and customer relationships, and related amortization expense from March 31, 2011 forward. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain intangible assets related to customer relationships were no longer recoverable based on a discrete evaluation of the nature of the intangible assets, incorporating the effect of the Company’s decision during the three months ended December 31, 2012 to no longer maintain the customer relationships. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.1 million on its Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012. The balance of intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Estimated		Gross		Impairment			Accumulated			Net
		Useful				Charge			Amortization
		Life (in
		months)
	As of September 30, 2013
	Patent		27	$	2,700	$	-		$	(1,425	)	$	1,275
	Customer relationships		0		400		(148	)		(252	)		-
				$	3,100	$	(148	)	$	(1,677	)	$	1,275
	As of December 31, 2012
	Patent		36	$	2,700	$	-		$	(997	)	$	1,703
	Customer relationships		0		400		(148	)		(252	)		-
				$	3,100	$	(148	)	$	(1,249	)	$	1,703
	As of September 30, 2013, the future amortization expense related to other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
		Amount
	Year
	2013	$	142
	2014		570
	2015		563
	2016		-
		$	1,275

Note_8_Property_Plant_and_Equi

Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	PV solar systems	$	21,124		$	20,783
	Plant and machinery		33			33
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		381			388
	Computers and software		1,509			1,499
	Trucks		-			44
	Leasehold improvements		62			96
			23,109			22,843
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(4,852	)		(4,089	)
		$	18,257		$	18,754
	In 2009, Solar Power, Inc. capitalized a photovoltaic (“PV”) solar system relating to the Aerojet 1 solar development project along with the associated financing obligation, recorded under financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to certain guarantee arrangements as disclosed in Note 13— Commitments and Contingencies, the Company will continue to record this $14.9 million solar system in property, plant and equipment with its associated financing obligation in financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion as long as it maintains its continuing involvement with this project. The income and expenses relating to the underlying operation of the Aerojet 1 project are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary, SGT, completed construction of two SEFs, which was classified as held for sale (refer to Note 9 —Assets Held for Sale) as of December 31, 2011. In May 2012, SGT sold to and leased back the assets from a leasing company. The gross amount of assets recorded under the capital leases was $6.3 million, with accumulated depreciation of $0.3 million, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The SEFs are classified as PV solar systems under capital leases, which were recorded in financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 13 —Commitments and Contingencies for more information related to the capital leases.
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $0.3 million. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $0.8 million.

Note_9_Assets_Held_for_Sale

Note 9 - Assets Held for Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Held For Sale Text Block [Abstract]	'
Asset Held For Sale Text Block [Text Block]	'
	9. Assets Held for Sale
	During the year ended December 31, 2010, Solar Power, Inc. recorded an asset held for sale of $10.0 million. The asset held for sale resulted from Solar Power, Inc. taking possession of a solar facility for which the customer was unable to complete payment. During 2010, the asset held for sale was reduced by $3.3 million to $6.7 million by funds received from the United States Treasury under Section 1603, Payment for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits. Although this asset had been held for sale for the past eighteen months as of December 31, 2011, during the period of the closing of the stock purchase by LDK, this asset was not actively marketed to third parties at LDK’s request and Solar Power, Inc. could not accept offers to sell the facility under the provisions of the LDK stock purchase agreement. Subsequent to the stock purchase by LDK, Solar Power, Inc. proceeded to actively market the asset to third parties and expected that this asset would be sold within the next twelve months. Accordingly, the asset held for sale was recorded as a current asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Solar Power, Inc. recorded an impairment charge of $0.4 million to reduce the carrying amount to the estimate of fair value less cost to sell. As such, the asset held for sale was recorded at $6.3 million as of December 31, 2011. The fair value was estimated based on a discounted cash flow analysis using level 3 unobservable inputs such as estimated future revenues and government incentives, less estimated future operating expenses. In May 2012, the Company recorded further impairment of $0.7 million, based on qualitative changes in the solar market. In June 2012, the Company sold the asset and assigned the related loan obligation, in the amount of $4.2 million, to HEK, LLC (“HEK”), a related party, and received net proceeds from the sale of $1.5 million consistent with the new fair value of the asset.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary, SGT, completed construction of two SEFs, which were classified in the amount of $5.5 million as assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In May 2012, these Italian assets held for sale were sold to and leased back from a leasing company. Refer to Note 8 —Property, Plant and Equipment for more information related to the assets. The fair value of the Italian assets held for sale was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis using level 3 unobservable inputs.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the balance of the account assets held for sale was zero and zero, respectively.

Note_10_Stockholders_Equity

Note 10 - Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. Stockholders’ Equity
	Issuance of common stock
	On June 8, 2012, the Company issued 400,000 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (defined below) as compensation to its non-employee directors. The fair value of the shares was $0.265 per share, the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on June 12, 2012, the date of the grant. The shares vested on the date of grant.
	In July 2012, the Company issued 9,771,223 shares of its Common Stock to LDK Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LDK, and 1,814,655 of its Common Stock to each of the two founders of SGT pursuant to the SGT Acquisition and Stock Purchase Agreement as part of an aggregate purchase price of 5.0 million Euros (approximately $6.3 million in U.S. Dollars at June 30, 2012). For further discussion of the transaction, refer to Note 5 —Acquisition of Solar Green Technology.
	Issuance of warrants to purchase common stock
	On February 15, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of a warrant agreement for Cathay General Bancorp to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $0.75 per share related to the credit facility entered into with Cathay Bank for an original aggregate principal amount of $9.0 million. The fair value of $0.29 per share was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model. Assumptions used in calculating fair value were as follows: a risk free interest rate of .38%, expected volatility of 103%, zero expected dividend yield, and an expected term of 3 years. The warrant expires on February 15, 2015 and is exercisable anytime within that period for an exercise price of $0.75 per share. The value of the warrant was amortized over the remaining term of the associated credit facility through December 31, 2012. For the three month period ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, zero and $38,000 was amortized to interest expense. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, zero and $0.1 million was amortized to interest expense.

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	11. Stock-based Compensation
	The Company measures stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards based on the grant-date fair value and recognizes the cost in the financial statements over the employee requisite service period.
	The following table summarizes the consolidated stock-based compensation expense, by type of awards for the periods as follows (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
	Employee stock options	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	303
	Stock grants		-			-				-				106
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	409
	The following table summarizes the consolidated stock-based compensation by line item for the periods as follow (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
	General and administrative	$	51		$	84			$	146			$	350
	Sales, marketing and customer service		—			26				11				56
	Engineering, design and product management		—			—				1				3
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	409
	Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Valuation Assumptions
	Valuation and Amortization Method —The Company estimates the fair value of time-based and performance-based stock options, if any, granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Time-based and performance-based options, if any, typically have a five-year life from date of grant and vesting periods of three to four years. There were no performance-based options outstanding at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	Expected Term —The expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. For awards granted subject only to service vesting requirements, the Company utilizes the simplified method for estimating the expected term of the stock-based award, instead of historical exercise data.
	Expected Volatility —The Company uses the historical volatility of the price of its common shares.
	Expected Dividend —The Company has never paid dividends on its common shares and currently does not intend to do so and, accordingly, the dividend yield percentage is zero for all periods.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate —The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method upon the implied yield curve currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term used as the assumption in the model.
	Assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes model for stock option grants during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013			2012					2013				2012
	Expected term		3.75				3.75				3.75					3.75
	Risk-free interest rate		1.62	%	.60%	-	67	%			1.62	%		0.60%	-	0.89	%
	Volatility		106	%	220%	-	221	%			106	%		213	-	221	%
	Dividend yield		—				0	%			—					0	%
	Equity Incentive Plan
	On November 15, 2006, subject to approval of the stockholders, the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which permits the Company to grant stock options to directors, officers or employees of the Company or others to purchase shares of common stock of the Company through awards of incentive and nonqualified stock options (“Option”), stock (Restricted Stock or Unrestricted Stock) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). The Plan was approved by the stockholders on February 7, 2007.
	The Company currently has time-based options outstanding. The time-based options generally vest 25% annually and expire three to five years from the date of grant. The restricted shares were fully vested as of December 31, 2012. Total number of shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this Plan is equal to nine percent (9%) of the number of outstanding shares of the Company. Not more than 2,000,000 shares of stock shall be granted in the form of incentive stock options. Shares issued under the Plan will be drawn from authorized and unissued shares or shares now held or subsequently acquired by the Company. Outstanding shares of the Company shall, for purposes of such calculation, include the number of shares of stock into which other securities or instruments issued by the Company are currently convertible (e.g. convertible preferred stock, convertible debentures, or warrants for common stock), but not outstanding options to acquire stock. At September 30, 2013 there were 10,907,856 shares available for grant under the plan (9% of the outstanding shares of 198,214,456 plus outstanding warrants of 300,000 less options outstanding and exercises since inception).
	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		2013							2012
		Shares			Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-
					Average								Average
					Exercise								Exercise
					Price Per								Price Per
					Share								Share
	Outstanding as of January 1,		5,836,500		$	0.45				5,171,500			$	0.56
	Granted		-			-				675,000				0.46
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(1,251,000	)		0.43				(23,000	)			1.1
	Outstanding as of March 31,		4,585,500			0.46				5,823,500				0.55
	Granted		-			-				750,000				0.28
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(1,255,250	)		0.57				(830,000	)			0.64
	Outstanding as of June 30,		3,330,250			0.41				5,743,500				0.5
	Granted		4,000,000			0.05				1,195,000				0.28
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(836,000	)		0.57				(176,625	)			0.72
	Outstanding as of September 30,		6,494,250			0.21				6,761,875				0.45
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock activities for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Shares
		2013			2012
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at January 1,		1,325,868			925,868
	Granted		-			-
	Forfeited		-			-
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at March 31,		1,325,868			925,868
	Granted		-			400,000
	Forfeited		-			-
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at June 30,		1,325,868			1,325,868
Granted		-			-
Forfeited		-			-
Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at September 30,		1,325,868			1,325,868

Note_12_Line_of_Credit_Loans_P

Note 12 - Line of Credit, Loans Payable and Loans Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	12. Line of Credit, Loans Payable and Financing Obligations
	Lines of Credit
	On December 26, 2011, the Company entered into a Business Loan Agreement with Cathay Bank (“Cathay”) whereby Cathay agreed to extend the Company a line of credit of the lesser of $9.0 million or seventy percent (70%) of the aggregate amount in certain accounts receivable, which was to mature on December 31, 2012. LDK agreed to guaranty the full amount of the loan under a Commercial Guaranty by and between LDK and Cathay dated December 26, 2011. The interest rate under the loan was variable, 1.25% above the prime rate. In conjunction with the Business Loan Agreement, the Company and Cathay entered into a Commercial Security Agreement dated December 26, 2011 (“Cathay Security Agreement”), pursuant to which Cathay was granted a security interest in the collateral, which is certain accounts receivable to the Company. See Note 10— Stockholders’ Equity regarding the warrants associated with the line of credit that were issued in February 2012.
	Under the Business Loan Agreement, the Company is required to adhere to certain covenants, including a profitability requirement and financial statement ratio covenants. On June 15, 2012, the Company and Cathay executed a modification to the terms of the line of credit to adjust the required debt to worth ratio from three to one from two and one-half to one, and to subject all future advances to seventy percent of the receipts related to EPC agreements reviewed and approved by Cathay. Due to the accounting treatment related to the Aerojet 1 solar project development, the Company’s debt to worth covenant was in violation at December 31, 2011 and continues to be in violation until the related financial obligation is satisfied. The Company obtained a waiver from Cathay that excludes the financial impact of the Aerojet 1 transaction from the calculation of the debt to worth ratio through the term of the loan.
	Related to the financial concerns of the Company’s parent, LDK, as discussed in Note 2— Going Concern Considerations and Management’s Plan, the Cathay line of credit contains a material adverse change (“MAC”) clause under which the bank can declare amounts immediately due and payable. Due to the subjectivity of the MAC clause, it is not clear whether the events described above would represent a material adverse change. Should the banks declare amounts immediately due and payable under the MAC clause, the Company does not have the ability to make the payments without additional sources of financing or accelerating the collection of outstanding receivables.
	In December 2012, the Company amended the Business Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") entered into with Cathay on December 26, 2011. Under the original terms of the Loan Agreement, Cathay agreed to extend the Company a line of credit of the lesser of $9.0 million or 70% the aggregate amount in certain accounts, which was to mature on December 31, 2012. LDK, the majority shareholder of the Company, agreed to guarantee the full amount of the loan under a Commercial Guaranty by and between LDK and Cathay dated December 26, 2011. Under the terms of the amended Loan Agreement, the facility amount was reduced to the then current balance outstanding of $7.0 million, with a variable interest rate of 2.00 percentage points above the prime rate and a 6.00 percentage point floor rate. In addition, the maturity date was extended to June 30, 2013 with principal payments of $0.5 million due each month beginning December 31, 2012. The covenants of the Loan Agreement were amended to include, among other items, the subordination of the net accounts payable due to LDK. In addition, under the Commercial Security Agreement dated December 26, 2011 (the "Security Agreement"), the Company granted Cathay a security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement), which Cathay can close on in the event of a default under the Loan Agreement. In the event that the Company does not make the principal payment, the bank could issue a notice of default and declare the amounts immediately due and payable. If the Company cannot remedy the default, the Company currently does not have the ability to make the payments without additional sources of financing or accelerating the collection of outstanding receivables.
	On August 15, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Cathay whereby Cathay agreed, subject to certain conditions precedent, to forbear from foreclosing on the security interest securing the Loan Agreement until September 30, 2013. In connection with the forbearance, the Company agreed to pay Cathay the outstanding and unpaid balance of the loan on September 30, 2013. In addition, as of September 30, 2013, the interest rate under the loan equaled 11 percent. All proceeds from the sale of projects and any payments received from KDC shall be applied to loan payment. The forbearance agreement expired on September 30, 2013 without payment being made and the Company is currently negotiating another forbearance agreement. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance due to Cathay is $4.5 million and $6.5 million, respectively, classified in the current account line of credit. As of the date of this filing, the Company has not yet received a notice of default from Cathay as negotiations to extend the forbearance agreement continue.
	During 2011 and 2012, SGT entered into various unsecured revolving credit agreements with six Italian financial institutions under which SGT may borrow up to 4.0 million Euros (approximately $5.1 million U.S. Dollars). Amounts borrowed for advances on customer invoices or for performance bonds to customers may be repaid and reborrowed after repayment. The Company is required to pay interest on outstanding borrowings at interest rates ranging from 4.4% to 9.9%, compounded quarterly. Repayment is due for each invoice advance upon repayment by the customer, up to one-hundred twenty days from utilization of each facility. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $2.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively, were outstanding under the revolving credit facilities, classified in the current account lines of credit.
	Loans Payable
	On December 30, 2011, the Company and CDB entered into a Security Agreement (the “CDB Security Agreement”), whereby the Company granted CDB a security interest in certain collateral. The collateral relates to the Project Facilities financed and the electricity grid-connected photovoltaic, solar power generation facilities that are the subject of the EPC Contract with specified installed capacity. The carrying value of the assets were $27.5 million and $22.6 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The CDB Security Agreement is providing CDB with security for two term loan facilities that CDB, as lender, is extending to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, SPI Solar New Jersey, Inc. (“SPI New Jersey”) as discussed below (collectively, the “Facility Agreements” and each a “Facility Agreement”).
	Under the CDB Security Agreement, CDB may, among other rights involving the collateral, sell the collateral or withdraw funds from certain accounts of the Company in the event of a default under a Facility Agreement. The CDB Security Agreement terminates upon satisfaction in full of the obligations under the Facility Agreements.
	On December 30, 2011, SPI New Jersey entered into two facility agreements with CDB. The first Facility Agreement is for a $3.6 million facility and a RMB 72,150,000 ($11.5 million at current exchange rates) facility and relates to EPC Financing for one of the Company’s customers. No borrowings were drawn under the RMB 72,150,000 facility with CDB. The facility expired on December 31, 2012. The second Facility Agreement is for a $15.6 million facility and a RMB 77,850,000 ($12.3 million at current exchange rates) facility and relates to EPC financing for another project of the same customer. SPI New Jersey has twelve months to draw upon the facilities. The interest rate is a variable interest rate based on either LIBOR plus a margin, in the case of a loan under a U.S. dollar portion, or the standard RMB interest rate for similar loans, in the case of a loan under a RMB portion. The interest is payable every six months. Under each Facility Agreement, SPI New Jersey is obligated to pay a front-end fee of 1.5% of the total amount of the U.S. dollars portion of a Facility Agreement upon the first drawing under the U.S. dollars portion of that Facility Agreement. Further, SPI New Jersey is obligated to pay a front-end fee of 1.5% of the total amount of the RMB portion of a Facility Agreement upon the first drawing under the RMB portion of that Facility Agreement. Additionally, SPI New Jersey is obligated to pay a fee equal to 0.5% per annum of the available but undrawn funds. The loans under a facility may be prepaid in whole or in part. However, any repaid portion cannot be re-borrowed. The full amount outstanding under a facility is required to be paid in full twenty-four months from the date the facility was first utilized, which was December 2011. The loans outstanding under the facility also become payable on the occurrence of certain events, including a change of control of SPI New Jersey. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, SPI New Jersey repaid the first Facility Agreement of $3.6 million upon completion of the related solar development project. No amounts remain outstanding under the first Facility Agreement as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, the Company drew down the remaining amount of RMB 77,850,000 (or $12.3 million in USD) under the second Facility Agreement. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance under the second Facility Agreement was $27.9 and $27.9 million, respectively, which was recorded in the current loans payable and capital lease obligations as the entire amount is due December 2013.
	The CDB Facility Agreements also contain a MAC clause. LDK financial issues may trigger an acceleration of the CDB loans if CDB reasonably believes that LDK’s financial concerns would have a material adverse effect on the Company. While the Company currently does not believe that it is probable that repayment of these debts will be accelerated by CDB, given inherent uncertainty on this determination by CDB and because the amounts outstanding relate to ongoing EPC projects and are expected to be paid within one year following the end of the construction, the Company reclassified the related balance from a noncurrent liability account to the current account loans payable and capital lease obligations in the second quarter of 2012.

Note_13_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	13. Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	Restricted cash —At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had restricted bank deposits of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The restricted bank deposits consist of a reserve pursuant to our guarantees of Solar Tax Partners 1, LLC (“STP”) with the bank providing the debt financing on the Aerojet 1 solar generating facility (see below for additional details related to the Aerojet 1 development project).
	Guarantee —On December 22, 2009, in connection with an equity funding of STP related to the Aerojet 1 solar development project, the Company along with STP’s other investors entered into a Guaranty (“Guaranty”) to provide the equity investor, Greystone Renewable Energy Equity Fund (“Greystone”), with certain guarantees, in part, to secure investment funds necessary to facilitate STP’s payment to the Company under the EPC. Specific guarantees made by Solar Power, Inc. include the following in the event of the other investors’ failure to perform under the operating agreement:
		•		Operating Deficit Loans—the Company would be required to loan Master Tenant or STP monies necessary to fund operations to the extent costs could not be covered by Master Tenant’s or STP’s cash inflows. The loan would be subordinated to other liabilities of the entity and earn no interest; and
		•		Exercise of Put Options—At the option of Greystone, the Company may be required to fund the purchase by Managing Member of Greystone’s interest in Master Tenant under an option exercisable for 9 months following a 63 month period commencing with operations of the Facility. The purchase price would be equal to the greater of the fair value of Greystone’s equity interest in Master Tenant or $1.0 million.
	The Company has recorded on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet the guarantees of $0.1 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which approximates their fair value (refer to Note 14— Fair Value of Financial Instruments). These amounts, less related amortization, are included in accrued liabilities. These guarantees for the Aerojet 1 project are accounted for separately from the financing obligation related to the Aerojet 1 project because they are with different counterparties.
	Financing Obligation —The guarantees associated with Aerojet 1 constitute a continuing involvement in the project. While the Company maintains its continuing involvement, it will apply the financing method and, therefore, has recorded and classified the proceeds received of $11.9 million and $12.8 million from the project in long-term liabilities within financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Performance Guaranty —On December 18, 2009, the Company entered into a 10-year energy output guaranty related to the photovoltaic system installed for STP at the Aerojet 1 facility in Rancho Cordova, CA. The guaranty provided for compensation to STP’s system lessee for shortfalls in production related to the design and operation of the system, but excluding shortfalls outside the Company’s control such as government regulation. The Company believes that the probability of shortfalls is unlikely and if they should occur they would be covered under the provisions of its current panel and equipment warranty provisions. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no charges against the Company’s reserves related to this performance guaranty.
	Product Warranties —Solar Power, Inc. offers the industry standard of 25 years for our solar modules and industry standard five years on inverter and balance of system components. Due to the warranty period, Solar Power, Inc. bears the risk of extensive warranty claims long after the Company has shipped product and recognized revenue. In our cable, wire and mechanical assemblies business, historically our warranty claims have not been material. In our solar photovoltaic business, our greatest warranty exposure is in the form of product replacement. Until the third quarter of 2007, Solar Power, Inc. purchased its solar panels from third-party suppliers and since the third-party warranties are consistent with industry standards it considered our financial exposure to warranty claims immaterial. Certain photovoltaic construction contracts entered into during the year ended December 31, 2007 included provisions under which Solar Power, Inc. agreed to provide warranties to the buyer, and during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2010, Solar Power, Inc. installed its own manufactured solar panels. As a result, the Company recorded the provision for the estimated warranty exposure on these contracts within cost of sales. Since Solar Power, Inc. does not have sufficient historical data to estimate its exposure, it has looked to its own historical data in combination with historical data reported by other solar system installers and manufacturers. The Company now only installs panels manufactured by unrelated third parties and its parent, LDK. The Company provides the manufacturer’s pass through warranty, and reserves for unreimbursed costs, such as labor, material and transportation costs to replace panels and balance of system components provided by third-party manufacturers. The current portion is presented in accrued liabilities and the non-current portion is presented in the noncurrent account other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The accrual for warranty claims consisted of the following (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Beginning balance - January 1,		$	1,537		$	1,679
	Provision charged to warranty expense			-			162
	Less: warranty claims			-			(25	)
	Ending balance – September 30,			1,537			1,816
	Current portion of warranty liability			200			200
	Non-current portion of warranty liability		$	1,337		$	1,616
	Capital Lease Commitments — The Company’s subsidiary, SGT, completed construction of two SEFs in fiscal year 2011, which they sold to and leased back from a leasing company in May 2012. The balances of these Italian assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are under capital leases. Refer to Note 8 —Property, Plant and Equipment for further details on the related asset. The leases expire in 2030. The following is the aggregate minimum future lease payments under capital leases as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	2013 (3 months)		$	171
	2014			685
	2015			685
	2016			685
	2017			685
	Thereafter			8,387
	Total minimum lease payments			11,298
	Less amounts representing interest			(5,137	)
	Present value of minimum payments			6,161
	Less current portion			(701	)
	Present value of minimum payments - noncurrent		$	5,460
	Contingencies
	Motech Industries, Inc. (“Motech”) filed a complaint against the Company on November 21, 2011, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, alleging that the Company breached a November 29, 2010 settlement agreement by failing to make payments set forth therein for products supplied to the Company by Motech. Motech has alleged causes of action for breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing seeking to recover a total of $339,544.15 in damages from the Company plus its attorneys’ fees and costs. The Company filed its answer on December 22, 2011 generally denying all of the allegations in Motech’s complaint. Specifically, the Company contended that it had paid Motech in full for all monies owed under the settlement agreement. On January 25, 2013, the Court denied Motech’s motion for summary judgment. During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the parties settled the dispute and the Company paid a settlement amount to Motech in the amount of $150,000 to resolve the matter in exchange for a mutual release of all claims.
	From time to time, the Company also is involved in various other legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business. While the Company cannot predict the occurrence or outcome of these proceedings with certainty, it does not believe that an adverse result in any pending legal or regulatory proceeding, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to its consolidated financial condition or cash flows; however, an unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations for a specific interim period or year.

Note_14_Fair_Value_of_Financia

Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:
		30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
		Carrying		Fair value		Carrying		Fair value
		value				value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	904	$	904	$	17,823	$	17,823
	Notes receivable, current		15,165		15,165		14,120	$	14,120
	Notes receivable, noncurrent		29,347		25,782		-	$	-
	Line of credit and Loans Payable		34,470		32,900		39,478	$	39,478
	The following methods were used to estimate the fair values of other financial instruments:
	Cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. The fair value for Cash and cash equivalents were classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Notes receivable, current, Notes receivable, noncurrent. The fair value of Notes receivable, current were based on anticipated cash flows, which approximates carrying value, and were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of Notes receivable, noncurrent were classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company used multiple techniques, including an income approach applying discounted cash flows approach, to measure the fair value using Level 3 inputs; the results of each technique have been reasonably weighted based upon management’s judgment applying qualitative considerations to determine the fair value at the measurement date.
	Line of credit and Loans payable. The carrying amount approximated fair values at December 31, 2012 due to the short maturity and their variable market rates of interest that change with current Prime or LIBOR rate and no change in counterparty credit risk. At December 31, 2012 line of credit and Loans payable were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. At September 30, 2013 the fair value of the Line of credit and Loans payable were classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The change from Level 2 to Level 3 classification was the result of the Company’s continued financial deterioration. The Company used multiple techniques, including an income approach applying discounted cash flows approach, to measure the fair value using Level 3 inputs; the results of each technique have been reasonably weighted based upon management’s judgment applying qualitative considerations to determine the fair value at the measurement date.

Note_15_Income_Taxes

Note 15 - Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	15. Income Taxes
	The Company calculates its interim income tax provision in accordance with ASC 740-270 —Income Taxes. At the end of each interim period, the Company estimates the annual effective tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary quarterly earnings. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect, is recognized in the interim period in which those items occur. The Company evaluates its ability to recover deferred tax assets, in full or in part, by considering all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income on a jurisdictional basis. The Company bases its estimate of current and deferred taxes on the tax laws and rates that are currently in effect in the appropriate jurisdiction. Changes in laws or rates may affect the tax provision as well as the amount of deferred tax assets or liabilities.
	The Company's effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 4.4% and -29.6%, respectively. The Company's effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 0.1% and -4.2%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of -$13 thousand and a provision for income taxes of $419 thousand, respectively. The benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 represented recognition of deferred tax liabilities, true-ups for returns filed during the period, deferred income tax charges previously suspended within the consolidated group that are now recognized upon the sale of foreign subsidiary's asset to a third party during the second quarter and minimum taxes because of the Company’s full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. The provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is a result of tax liability due in certain profitable jurisdictions while loss generating jurisdictions are not able to benefit from current net operating losses due to lack of taxable income.
	The Company and its subsidiaries did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company does not anticipate that its unrecognized tax benefits or liability position will change significantly over the next twelve months.

Note_16_Net_Loss_Per_Share

Note 16 - Net Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	16. Net Loss Per Share
	Basic loss per share is computed by dividing income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution of securities by adding other common stock equivalents, including common stock options, warrants, and restricted common stock, in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for a period, if dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 6.8 million and 8.6 million potentially dilutive securities, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because their effect on net loss per share was anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 6.8 million and 8.6 million potentially dilutive securities, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because their effect on net loss per share was anti-dilutive. As a result of the net loss for each of the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 there is no dilutive impact to the net loss per share calculation for the periods.

Note_17_Related_Party_Transact

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	17. Related Party Transactions
	In September 2012, Solar Green Technology SA (“SGT”) transferred its interest in its wholly owned subsidiary, Moiac Solare Srl (“Moiac”), to Terrasol Solar SA (“Terrasol”). Terrasol’s parent, Century Solar Jewel SA is 40% owned by LDK Solar Europe Holding SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of LDK. The total contract value from the EPC agreements for the construction of 641kW solar development projects owned by Moiac is $1.9 million.
	In June 2012, SGT began construction on multiple solar development projects under EPC agreements with Terrasol. The total contract value from the construction of these solar development projects is $16.1 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded net sales to LDK and North Palm Springs Investments, LLC (“NPSLLC”) of zero and $12.5 million, respectively, with a cost of goods sold of zero and $11.4 million, respectively, primarily consisting of solar development costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded net sales to LDK and NPSLLC of zero and $33.5 million, respectively, with a cost of goods sold of zero and $31.0 million, respectively, primarily consisting of solar development costs. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, accounts receivable from LDK was $8.0 million and $11.9 million, respectively, primarily related to the receivables from solar development projects with and inventory sale to LDK.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had accounts payable to LDK of $49.0 million and $51.8 million, respectively, primarily related to purchases of solar panels for solar development projects. See Note 2 —Going Concern Considerations and Management’s Plan for further discussion related to the accounts payables with LDK.
	In the second quarter of 2013, LDK forgave $2.6 million in indebtedness to provide an injection of capital to SGT to keep their shareholder capital from going negative and triggering liquidity accounting under Italian statutory law. SGT is currently taking additional steps to keep a positive shareholder capital.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which simplifies the guidance for testing the decline in the realizable value (impairment) of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. An organization is now allowed to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. The Company adopted these changes on January 1, 2013. Adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income—Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, entities are required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The Company adopted these changes on January 1, 2013. Adoption of these changes did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In March 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters—Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity, which allows an entity to release cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-07, Liquidation Basis of Accounting, which require an entity to use the liquidation basis of accounting to present its financial statements when it determines that liquidation is imminent, unless the liquidation is the same as that under the plan specified in an entity’s governing documents created at its inception. Liquidation is imminent when the likelihood is remote that the entity will return from liquidation and either (a) a plan for liquidation is approved by the person or persons with the authority to make such a plan effective and the likelihood is remote that the execution of the plan will be blocked by other parties or (b) a plan for liquidation is being imposed by other forces (for example, involuntary bankruptcy). These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Entities should apply the requirements prospectively from the day that liquidation becomes imminent. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes—Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which provides that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. Management does not expect the adoption of these changes to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		Estimated		Gross		Impairment			Accumulated			Net
		Useful				Charge			Amortization
		Life (in
		months)
	As of September 30, 2013
	Patent		27	$	2,700	$	-		$	(1,425	)	$	1,275
	Customer relationships		0		400		(148	)		(252	)		-
				$	3,100	$	(148	)	$	(1,677	)	$	1,275
	As of December 31, 2012
	Patent		36	$	2,700	$	-		$	(997	)	$	1,703
	Customer relationships		0		400		(148	)		(252	)		-
				$	3,100	$	(148	)	$	(1,249	)	$	1,703
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
		Amount
	Year
	2013	$	142
	2014		570
	2015		563
	2016		-
		$	1,275

Note_8_Property_Plant_and_Equi1

Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	PV solar systems	$	21,124		$	20,783
	Plant and machinery		33			33
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		381			388
	Computers and software		1,509			1,499
	Trucks		-			44
	Leasehold improvements		62			96
			23,109			22,843
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(4,852	)		(4,089	)
		$	18,257		$	18,754

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio1

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]	'
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
	Employee stock options	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	303
	Stock grants		-			-				-				106
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	409
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,							For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013				2012
	General and administrative	$	51		$	84			$	146			$	350
	Sales, marketing and customer service		—			26				11				56
	Engineering, design and product management		—			—				1				3
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	51		$	110			$	158			$	409
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used	'
		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013			2012					2013				2012
	Expected term		3.75				3.75				3.75					3.75
	Risk-free interest rate		1.62	%	.60%	-	67	%			1.62	%		0.60%	-	0.89	%
	Volatility		106	%	220%	-	221	%			106	%		213	-	221	%
	Dividend yield		—				0	%			—					0	%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		2013							2012
		Shares			Weighted-				Shares				Weighted-
					Average								Average
					Exercise								Exercise
					Price Per								Price Per
					Share								Share
	Outstanding as of January 1,		5,836,500		$	0.45				5,171,500			$	0.56
	Granted		-			-				675,000				0.46
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(1,251,000	)		0.43				(23,000	)			1.1
	Outstanding as of March 31,		4,585,500			0.46				5,823,500				0.55
	Granted		-			-				750,000				0.28
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(1,255,250	)		0.57				(830,000	)			0.64
	Outstanding as of June 30,		3,330,250			0.41				5,743,500				0.5
	Granted		4,000,000			0.05				1,195,000				0.28
	Exercised		-			-				-				-
	Forfeited		(836,000	)		0.57				(176,625	)			0.72
	Outstanding as of September 30,		6,494,250			0.21				6,761,875				0.45
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		Shares
		2013			2012
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at January 1,		1,325,868			925,868
	Granted		-			-
	Forfeited		-			-
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at March 31,		1,325,868			925,868
	Granted		-			400,000
	Forfeited		-			-
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at June 30,		1,325,868			1,325,868
	Granted		-			-
	Forfeited		-			-
	Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at September 30,		1,325,868			1,325,868

Note_13_Commitments_and_Contin1

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	'
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance - January 1,	$	1,537		$	1,679
	Provision charged to warranty expense		-			162
	Less: warranty claims		-			(25	)
	Ending balance – September 30,		1,537			1,816
	Current portion of warranty liability		200			200
	Non-current portion of warranty liability	$	1,337		$	1,616
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	2013 (3 months)	$	171
	2014		685
	2015		685
	2016		685
	2017		685
	Thereafter		8,387
	Total minimum lease payments		11,298
	Less amounts representing interest		(5,137	)
	Present value of minimum payments		6,161
	Less current portion		(701	)
	Present value of minimum payments - noncurrent	$	5,460

Note_14_Fair_Value_of_Financia1

Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
		30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
		Carrying		Fair value		Carrying		Fair value
		value				value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	904	$	904	$	17,823	$	17,823
	Notes receivable, current		15,165		15,165		14,120	$	14,120
	Notes receivable, noncurrent		29,347		25,782		-	$	-
	Line of credit and Loans Payable		34,470		32,900		39,478	$	39,478

Note_2_Going_Concern_Considera1

Note 2 - Going Concern Considerations and Management's Plan (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Extended Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

U.S and Greek Project Solar Panel Purchases [Member]

Italian Solar Development Projects Solar Panel Purchases [Member]

LDK [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

LDK [Member]

LDK [Member]

Note 2 - Going Concern Considerations and Management's Plan (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

($3,583,000)

($7,208,000)

($13,557,000)

($10,421,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)

-37,387,000

'

-37,387,000

'

-23,830,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Working Capital

-30,800,000

'

-30,800,000

'

'

61,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding Owned by Parent Company

'

'

71.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Percentage of Amount Outstanding to be Extended

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

70.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500,000

7,000,000

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Floor Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

'

Accounts Payable, Related Parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,900,000

6,100,000

49,000,000

'

'

'

'

Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Payment Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 months

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable, Collection Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'9 months

'12 months

Sales Returns, Goods

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

2,900,000

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

$904,000

$20,375,000

$904,000

$20,375,000

$17,823,000

$24,523,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_5_Acquisition_of_Solar_Gr1

Note 5 - Acquisition of Solar Green Technology (Details)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 27, 2012	Jun. 27, 2012	Jun. 27, 2012	Jun. 27, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Jun. 27, 2012
		USD ($)	EUR (€)	Subsidiary, Solar Green Technology [Member]	Parent Company, LDK [Member]	LDK Europe [Member]	Two Founders of SGT [Member]	Solar Green Technology [Member]
				Parent Company, LDK Europe [Member]			EUR (€)
Note 5 - Acquisition of Solar Green Technology (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%
Business Acquisition, Cash Payable (in Euro)	'	$6.30	€ 5	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cash Payable (in Dollars)	'	6.3	5	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding Owned by Parent Company	71.00%	'	'	70.00%	71.00%	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	9,771,223	1,814,655	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross (in Euro)	'	'	'	'	'	'	€ 100,000	'

Note_6_Accounts_and_Notes_Rece1

Note 6 - Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 27, 2012

Jun. 08, 2012

Incorrectly Reported In Previous Period [Member]

Sale of Greece Project [Member]

Sale of Greece Project [Member]

Second Unrelated Customer [Member]

Second Unrelated Customer [Member]

EPC Contract [Member]

EPC Contract [Member]

Solar Hub [Member]

Solar Hub [Member]

Solar Hub [Member]

Solar Hub [Member]

Solar Hub [Member]

Completed-Contract Method [Member]

Expected Collection Period [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Note 6 - Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

$13,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable

-9,401,000

-15,836,000

'

'

8,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Account Receivable Extended Collection Period

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Liabilities, Current

4,168,000

'

6,536,000

'

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable, Net, Current

16,646,000

'

43,807,000

'

1,600,000

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable, Net, Noncurrent

12,816,000

'

'

'

7,100,000

'

5,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reclassifcation of Account Receivable from Current to Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note Receivable, Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

10.00%

'

6.00%

'

Financing Receivable, Net

15,165,000

'

14,120,000

'

'

'

'

'

6,700,000

7,000,000

8,400,000

'

7,100,000

'

'

Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent

29,347,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Notes Receivable

1,320,000

9,431,000

'

20,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable

275,000

2,286,000

'

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given

'

'

'

13,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing Receivable, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

$9,000,000

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	$0	$0	$5,200,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	5,200,000	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	148,000	148,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	'	1,275,000	1,703,000	'
Solar Power [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	$4,700,000

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta3

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Other Intangible Assets (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	$3,100	$3,100
Intangible Assets, Impairment Charge	-148	-148
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,677	-1,249
Intangible Assets, Net	1,275	1,703
Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life (in months)	'27 months	'36 months
Intangible Assets, Gross	2,700	2,700
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,425	-997
Intangible Assets, Net	1,275	1,703
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life (in months)	'0 months	'0 months
Intangible Assets, Gross	400	400
Intangible Assets, Impairment Charge	-148	-148
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	($252)	($252)

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta4

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Other Intangible Asset (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Other Intangible Asset [Abstract]	'	'
2013	$142	'
2014	570	'
2015	563	'
2016	0	'
	$1,275	$1,703

Note_8_Property_Plant_and_Equi2

Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$18,257,000	'	$18,257,000	'	$18,754,000
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	6,300,000	'	6,300,000	'	6,300,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	300,000	'	300,000	'	300,000
Depreciation	300,000	300,000	846,000	831,000	'
PV Solar Systems_Aerojet 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$14,900,000	'	$14,900,000	'	'

Note_8_Property_Plant_and_Equi3

Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - Property, Plant and Equipment (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	$23,109	$22,843
Less: accumulated depreciation	-4,852	-4,089
	18,257	18,754
PV Solar System [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	21,124	20,783
Plant and Machinery [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	33	33
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	381	388
Computer Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	1,509	1,499
Trucks [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	'	44
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property plant and equipment, gross	$62	$96

Note_9_Assets_Held_for_Sale_De

Note 9 - Assets Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	31-May-12	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011
					Solar Facility [Member]	Solar Facility [Member]	Solar Facility [Member]	Solar Facility [Member]	Solar Facility [Member]	Solar Facility [Member]	SEF [Member]
Note 9 - Assets Held for Sale (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets Held-for-sale, Current	'	$0	'	$0	'	'	'	$6,700,000	$6,300,000	$10,000,000	$5,500,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,300,000	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Charges	5,178,000	'	5,890,000	'	'	700,000	400,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities of Assets Held-for-sale	'	'	'	'	4,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	$13,000	$424,000	'	$1,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Note_10_Stockholders_Equity_De

Note 10 - Stockholders' Equity (Details)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Feb. 15, 2012

Jun. 08, 2012

Jun. 12, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Feb. 15, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

Warrant [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

LDK Europe [Member]

Two Founders of SGT [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Solar Green Technology [Member]

Solar Green Technology [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Amortization of Warrant Value to Interest Expense [Member]

Amortization of Warrant Value to Interest Expense [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Note 10 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross (in Shares)

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Price (in Dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$0.27

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

9,771,223

1,814,655

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred (in Euro)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6,300,000

€ 5,000,000

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,300,000

5,000,000

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per Item)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,000,000

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Fair-valued Price Per Share (in Dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.29

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate

'

'

38.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate

'

'

103.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense, Debt

$0

$100,000

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$38,000

'

'

'

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio2

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Time-based Options [Member]

Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Performance Based Options [Member]

Performance Based Options [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Performance Based Options [Member]

Performance Based Options [Member]

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term

'3 years 9 months

'3 years 9 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years 9 months

'5 years

'3 years 9 months

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'3 years

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number

'

'

5,836,500

5,171,500

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

0.00%

'

'

Stock Options, Annual Vesting Percentage

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiration Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'3 years

'

Reserved Share, Percentage of Outstanding Shares

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant

'

'

'

'

'

10,907,856

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares, Outstanding

198,214,456

198,214,456

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding

300,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio3

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Consolidated Stock-Based Compensation Expense, by Type of Awards (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation expense	'	'	$158	$409
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation expense	51	110	158	303
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation expense	'	'	'	106
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation expense	$51	$110	$158	$409

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio4

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Consolidated Stock-Based Compensation by Line Items (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation Expense	$51	$110	$158	$409
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation Expense	51	84	146	350
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation Expense	'	26	11	56
Engineering Design and Product Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Based Compensation Expense	'	'	$1	$3

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio5

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Assumptions Used in the Determination of Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
			Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Assumptions Used in the Determination of Fair Value of Share-Based Payment Awards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected term	'3 years 9 months	'3 years 9 months	'	'	'3 years 9 months	'5 years	'3 years 9 months
Risk-free interest rate	1.62%	1.62%	0.60%	0.60%	67.00%	'	0.89%
Volatility	106.00%	106.00%	220.00%	213.00%	221.00%	'	221.00%
Dividend yield	'	0.00%	'	'	0.00%	'	0.00%

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio6

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding	5,836,500	5,171,500
Outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$0.45	$0.56
Three Months Ended March [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Granted	'	675,000
Excercised (in Dollars per share)	'	$0.46
Forfeited	-1,251,000	-23,000
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$0.43	$1.10
As of March [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding	4,585,500	5,823,500
Outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.55
Three Months Ended June [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Granted	'	750,000
Excercised (in Dollars per share)	'	$0.28
Forfeited	-1,255,250	-830,000
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.64
As Of June [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding	3,330,250	5,743,500
Outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$0.41	$0.50
Three Months Ended Sep [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Granted	4,000,000	1,195,000
Excercised (in Dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.28
Forfeited	-836,000	-176,625
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.72
As Of September [Member]	'	'
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Stock Option Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding	6,494,250	6,761,875
Outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.45

Note_11_Stockbased_Compensatio7

Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Restricted stock awards	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
			As of March [Member]	As of March [Member]		As Of June [Member]	As Of June [Member]	As Of September [Member]	As Of September [Member]
Note 11 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Restricted stock awards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock units outstanding and vested at	1,325,868	925,868	1,325,868	925,868	'	1,325,868	1,325,868	1,325,868	1,325,868
Granted	'	'	'	'	400,000	'	'	'	'

Note_12_Line_of_Credit_Loans_P1

Note 12 - Line of Credit, Loans Payable and Loans Payable (Details)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Dec. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 26, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 30, 2011

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD Portion [Member]

USD Portion [Member]

USD Portion [Member]

RMB Portion [Member]

RMB Portion [Member]

RMB Portion [Member]

RMB Portion [Member]

RMB Portion [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Italian Financial Institutions [Member]

Italian Financial Institutions [Member]

Italian Financial Institutions [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

CDB [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Cathay Bank [Member]

Extended Line of Credit [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

First [Member]

Second [Member]

First [Member]

First [Member]

Second [Member]

Second [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

Note 12 - Line of Credit, Loans Payable and Loans Payable (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Percentage of Amount Outstanding to be Extended

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

70.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

3,600,000

15,600,000

'

11,500,000

72,150,000

12,300,000

77,850,000

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

5,100,000

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Floor Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

11.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500,000

7,000,000

2,100,000

'

4,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

27,900,000

27,900,000

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.40%

4.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.90%

9.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets, Current

70,179,000

141,014,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,500,000

22,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Front End Fee Percent

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percent Fee of Undrawn Funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

Repayments of Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,600,000

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit (in Yuan Renminbi)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,300,000

77,850,000

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12,300,000

77,850,000

'

'

'

'

Note_13_Commitments_and_Contin2

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 29, 2010	Jun. 30, 2013
			Solar Modules [Member]	Inverter and Balance of System Components [Member]	Guarantee Obligations [Member]	Guarantee Obligations [Member]	Greystone [Member]	Motech Industries Inc [Member]	Motech Industries Inc [Member]
Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$400,000	$400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'	'
Guarantees, Fair Value Disclosure	100,000	100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	'	'	'	11,900,000	12,800,000	'	'	'
Warranty Term	'	'	'25 years	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	339,544.15	'
Litigation Settlement, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$150,000

Note_13_Commitments_and_Contin3

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - The Accrual for Warranty Claims (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
The Accrual for Warranty Claims [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning balance - January 1,	$1,679	$1,537	$1,537
Provision charged to warranty expense	162	'	'
Less: warranty claims	-25	'	'
Ending balance – September 30,	1,816	1,537	1,537
Current portion of warranty liability	200	200	'
Non-current portion of warranty liability	$1,616	$1,337	'

Note_13_Commitments_and_Contin4

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Aggregate Minimum Future Lease Payments Under Capital Leases (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate Minimum Future Lease Payments Under Capital Leases [Abstract]	'
2013 (3 months)	$171
2014	685
2015	685
2016	685
2017	685
Thereafter	8,387
Total minimum lease payments	11,298
Less amounts representing interest	-5,137
Present value of minimum payments	6,161
Less current portion	-701
Present value of minimum payments - noncurrent	$5,460

Note_14_Fair_Value_of_Financia2

Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Carrying Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Carrying Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$904	$17,823	$20,375	$24,523
Notes receivable, noncurrent	29,347	'	'	'
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Carrying Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	904	'	17,823	'
Notes receivable, current	15,165	'	14,120	'
Notes receivable, current	15,165	'	14,120	'
Notes receivable, noncurrent	29,347	'	'	'
Line of credit and Loans Payable	34,470	'	39,478	'
Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Note 14 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Carrying Values and Fair Values of Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	904	'	17,823	'
Notes receivable, current	15,165	'	14,120	'
Notes receivable, current	15,165	'	14,120	'
Notes receivable, noncurrent	25,782	'	'	'
Line of credit and Loans Payable	$32,900	'	$39,478	'

Note_15_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 15 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	4.40%	-29.60%	0.10%	-4.20%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (in Dollars)	($123)	$1,645	($12)	$419

Note_16_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Det

Note 16 - Net Loss Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	6.8	6.8	8.6	8.6

Note_17_Related_Party_Transact1

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Century Solar Jewel SA [Member]

Moiac Solare Srl [Member]

LDK [Member]

LDK [Member]

LDK [Member]

LDK [Member]

LDK [Member]

EPC Agreement with Terrasol [Member]

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from Related Parties

$0

$12,470,000

$0

$33,473,000

'

'

$1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

$16,100,000

Related Party Costs

0

11,410,000

0

31,002,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current

8,039,000

'

8,039,000

'

11,858,000

'

'

'

8,000,000

11,900,000

'

'

'

Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current

48,979,000

'

48,979,000

'

51,804,000

'

'

'

'

'

49,000,000

51,800,000

'

Related Party Forgivness of Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'