FuelCell Energy (FCEL) 10-Q 9 Sep 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 04, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FUELCELL ENERGY INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000886128	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jul-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--10-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	283,890,766

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted	$107,938	$67,696
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - short term	4,908	5,053
Accounts receivable, net	39,555	49,116
Inventories	55,761	56,185
Other current assets	8,565	11,279
Total current assets	216,727	189,329
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	20,215	4,950
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,429	24,225
Goodwill	4,075	4,075
Intangible Assets	9,592	9,592
Other assets, net	3,877	5,465
Total assets	279,915	237,636
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	1,404	6,931
Accounts payable	15,917	24,535
Accrued liabilities	11,618	21,912
Deferred revenue	44,803	51,857
Preferred stock obligation of subsidiary	989	1,028
Total current liabilities	74,731	106,263
Long-term deferred revenue	21,524	18,763
Long-term preferred stock obligation of subsidiary	13,373	13,270
Long-term debt and other liabilities	13,449	52,675
Total liabilities	123,077	190,971
Redeemable preferred stock (liquidation preference of $64,020 at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013)	59,857	59,857
Shareholders' equity (deficit)	'	'
Common stock ($.0001 par value); 400,000,000 and 275,000,000 shares authorized at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013; 283,902,599 and 196,310,402 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.	28	20
Additional paid-in capital	902,747	758,656
Accumulated deficit	-804,614	-771,189
Accumulated other comprehensive income	168	101
Treasury stock, Common, at cost (45,550 and 5,679 shares at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013)	-95	-53
Deferred Compensation Equity	95	53
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)	98,329	-12,412
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	-1,348	-780
Total equity (deficit)	96,981	-13,192
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)	$279,915	$237,636

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$64,020	$64,020
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	275,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	283,902,599	196,310,402
Common stock, shares outstanding	283,902,599	196,310,402
Treasury stock, shares	45,550	5,679

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013
Revenues (1):	'		'		'		'
Product sales	$32,315		$45,441		$94,482		$108,881
Service agreements and license revenues	7,078		3,706		19,215		12,783
Advanced technologies contract revenues	3,783		4,560		12,187		10,837
Total revenues	43,176	[1]	53,707	[1]	125,884	[1]	132,501	[1]
Costs of revenues:	'		'		'		'
Cost of product sales	29,308		41,523		88,944		103,950
Cost of service agreements and license revenues	6,629		3,427		17,546		13,816
Cost of advanced technologies contract revenues	3,278		4,235		11,623		10,210
Total costs of revenues	39,215		49,185		118,113		127,976
Gross profit	3,961		4,522		7,771		4,525
Operating expenses:	'		'		'		'
Administrative and selling expenses	5,569		5,203		16,169		16,071
Research and development expenses	4,392		3,913		13,945		11,315
Total costs and expenses	9,961		9,116		30,114		27,386
Loss from operations	-6,000		-4,594		-22,343		-22,861
Interest expense	-649		-1,078		-2,901		-2,218
Income from equity investment	'		'		0		46
Other income (expense), net	-399		-162		-8,480		-267
Loss before provision for income taxes	-7,048		-5,834		-33,724		-25,300
Provision for income taxes	-91		20		-269		-22
Net Loss	-7,139		-5,814		-33,993		-25,322
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	161		202		568		664
Net loss attributable to FuelCell Energy, Inc.	-6,978		-5,612		-33,425		-24,658
Preferred stock dividends	-800		-800		-2,400		-2,400
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($7,778)		($6,412)		($35,825)		($27,058)
Loss per share basic and diluted	'		'		'		'
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	($0.03)		($0.03)		($0.15)		($0.14)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	258,178,826		192,051,578		233,933,636		190,006,331
[1]	Includes revenue from a related party. Refer to Related Parties in Note 1 to the financial statements.

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Los

Statement of Comprehensive Loss Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Net Loss	($7,139)	($5,814)	($33,993)	($25,322)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-43	-8	67	13
Comprehensive loss	($7,182)	($5,822)	($33,926)	($25,309)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($33,993)	($25,322)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,182	1,619
Income from equity investment	0	-46
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of embedded derivatives	-116	321
Make whole derivative expense	8,347	0
Depreciation	3,297	3,044
Interest expense on preferred stock obligation	1,466	1,495
Other non-cash transactions, net	71	40
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:	'	'
Accounts receivable	9,517	-3,270
Inventories	424	3,051
Other assets	1,599	-163
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	-8,618	9,193
Accrued liabilities	-11,485	-2,668
Deferred revenue	-4,293	14,817
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-31,602	2,111
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-4,120	-4,017
Cash acquired from acquisition	0	357
Net cash used in investing activities	-4,120	-3,660
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of debt	-5,858	-285
Proceeds from debt	250	41,500
Financing costs for convertible debt securities	0	-2,472
Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents	-15,120	632
Payment of preferred dividends and return of capital	-3,264	-3,339
Common stock issued for stock plans and related expenses	161	0
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of registration fees	99,728	-20
Net cash provided by financing activities	75,897	36,016
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates	67	13
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	40,242	34,480
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period	67,696	46,879
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period	107,938	'
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:	'	'
Cash interest paid	1,728	271
Noncash financing and investing activity:	'	'
Common stock issued for Employee Stock Purchase Plan in settlement of prior year accrued employee contributions	106	85
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	33,303	0
Common stock issued for acquisition	0	3,562
Debt Conversion and Make Whole Obligation [Member]	'	'
Noncash financing and investing activity:	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	$46,186	'

Nature_of_Business_and_Basis_o

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
	Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
	FuelCell Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”, “FuelCell Energy”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a leading integrated fuel cell company with a growing global presence. We design, manufacture, install, operate and service ultra-clean, efficient and reliable stationary fuel cell power plants. Our Direct FuelCell power plants produce reliable 24/7 base load electricity and usable high quality heat for commercial, industrial, government and utility customers. We have commercialized our stationary carbonate fuel cells and are also pursuing the complementary development of planar solid oxide fuel cell and other fuel cell technologies. We continue to invest in new product and market development and we are not currently generating net income from our operations.  Our operations are funded primarily through cash generated from product sales, service and advanced technologies contracts, license fee income and sales of equity and debt securities. In order to continually produce positive cash flow from operations, we need to be successful at increasing annual order volume, production and cost reduction efforts.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present our financial position and results of operation as of and for the periods ended July 31, 2014 have been included. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  The balance sheet as of October 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but it does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended October 31, 2013, which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year.
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition, excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventories, product warranty costs, reserves on service agreements ("SA"), allowance for uncollectible receivables, depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets, income taxes, and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.  Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from those estimates.
	Related Parties
	POSCO Energy (“POSCO”), which is a related party, owns approximately 11 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of July 31, 2014. Revenues from POSCO Energy for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 and 2013 represent 68% and 53%, respectively, of consolidated revenues.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This topic provides for five principles which should be followed to determine the appropriate amount and timing of revenue recognition for the transfer of goods and services to customers. The principles in this ASU should be applied to all contracts with customers regardless of industry. The amendments in this ASU are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with two transition methods of adoption allowed. Early adoption for reporting periods prior to December 15, 2016 is not permitted. We are evaluating the financial statement impacts of the guidance in this ASU and determining which transition method we will utilize.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Advanced Technology (including U.S. Government(1)):
	Amount billed	$	1,276	$	786
	Unbilled recoverable costs	2,756		639
		4,032		1,425
	Commercial Customers:
	Amount billed	5,769		17,344
	Unbilled recoverable costs	29,754		30,347
		35,523		47,691
	Accounts receivable, net	$	39,555	$	49,116
	-1	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of July 31, 2014 is $1.6 million.
	We bill customers for power plant and module kit sales based on certain contractual milestones being reached. We bill SA's based on the contract price and billing terms of the contracts. Generally, our advanced technology contracts are billed based on actual recoverable costs incurred, typically in the month subsequent to incurring costs. Some advanced technology contracts are billed based on contractual milestones or costs incurred. Unbilled recoverable costs relate to revenue recognized on customer contracts that have not been billed. Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.06 million and $0.01 million as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.
	Commercial Customers accounts receivable (including Unbilled recoverable costs) include amounts due from POSCO Energy of $12.6 million and $17.4 million as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	The components of inventory as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	23,173	$	20,599
	Work-in-process (1)	32,588		35,586
	Inventories	$	55,761	$	56,185
	-1	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or stack components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service SA's. Included in work-in-process as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 is $19.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, of completed standard components.
	Raw materials consist mainly of various nickel powders and steels, various other components used in producing cell stacks and purchased components for balance of plant. Work-in-process inventory is comprised of material, labor, and overhead costs incurred to build fuel cell stacks, which are subcomponents of a power plant. Work in process also includes costs related to modules which have not yet been dedicated to a particular commercial customer contract.

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Cur

Other Current Assets Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets [Text Block]	'
	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
			31-Jul-14		31-Oct-13
	Advance payments to vendors (1)		$	3,056	$	4,235
	Debt issuance costs (2)		—		494
	Deferred finance costs (3)		128		—
	Notes receivable (4)		529		478
	Prepaid expenses and other (5)		4,852		6,072
	Other current assets		$	8,565	$	11,279
	-1	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
	-2	Represents the current portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. The convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
	-3	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	-4	Current portion of long-term notes receivable.
	-5	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.

Other_Assets_net

Other Assets, net	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]	'
Other Assets, net	'
	Other Assets, net
	Other assets, net as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Long-term stack residual value (1)	$	2,725	$	2,898
	Debt issuance costs (2)	—		1,721
	Deferred finance costs (3)	514		—
	Other (4)	638		846
	Other assets, net	$	3,877	$	5,465
	-1	Relates to expected residual value for module exchanges performed under the Company's SA's where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the SA and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the SA. If the Company does not obtain rights to title from the customer, the cost of the module is expensed at the time of the module exchange.
	(2) Represents the long-term portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. As of July 31, 2014, the convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
	(3) Represents the long-term portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	(4) Includes security deposits and notes receivable.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits (1)	$	4,294	$	4,647
	Accrued contract and operating costs (2)	34		87
	Accrued product warranty cost (3)	1,316		860
	Accrued service agreement costs (4)	3,670		4,186
	Accrued repair and upgrade program and modules due POSCO Energy (5)	—		7,267
	Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other (6)	2,304		4,865
	Accrued Liabilities	$	11,618	$	21,912
	-1	Balance relates to amounts owed to employees for compensation and benefits as of the end of the period.
	-2	Balance includes estimated losses accrued on product sales contracts.
	-3	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $2.6 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $2.2 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.
	-4	As of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the loss accrued on SA's totaled $2.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Also included in this line item is an accrual for performance guarantees penalties under the terms of our customer contracts, which based on our ongoing analysis of historical fleet performance, totaled $0.8 million and $0.5 million as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.
	-5	The balance of the accrual as of October 31, 2013 related to three replacement modules due to POSCO Energy, which were delivered in the first quarter of 2014.
	-6	Balance includes accrued sales, use and payroll taxes as well as legal, professional and other expense accruals as of the end of the period.

Debt_and_Leases

Debt and Leases	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Debt and Leases
	As of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, debt consisted of the following:
			31-Jul-14			31-Oct-13
	Revolving credit facility		$	945		$	6,500
	Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes		—			38,000
	Connecticut Development Authority Note		3,086			3,246
	Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority Note		6,052			5,744
	Capitalized lease obligations		713			497
	Total debt		10,796			53,987
	Unamortized debt discount		—			(3,106		)
			10,796			50,881
	Current portion of long-term debt		(1,404		)	(6,931		)
	Long-term debt		$	9,392		$	43,950
	Aggregate annual principal payments under our loan agreements and capital lease obligations, excluding payments relating to the revolving credit facility, for the years subsequent to July 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year 1	$	459
	Year 2	500
	Year 3	401
	Year 4	2,434
	Year 5	6
	Thereafter	6,051
		$	9,851
	On July 30, 2014, the Company's subsidiary, FuelCell Energy Finance, LLC (“FuelCell Finance”) entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with NRG Energy, Inc. ("NRG"). Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, NRG has extended a $40.0 million revolving construction and term financing facility to FuelCell Finance for the purpose of accelerating project development by the Company and its subsidiaries. FuelCell Finance and its subsidiaries may draw on the facility to finance the construction of projects through the commercial operating date of the power plants. FuelCell Finance has the option to continue the financing term for each project after the commercial operating date for a maximum term of five years per project. The interest rate is 8.5 percent per annum for construction-period financing and 8 percent percent thereafter. Fees that were paid by FuelCell Finance to NRG for making the loan facility available and related legal fees incurred were capitalized and will be amortized straight-line over the life of the related loan agreement, which is five years.
	On June 25, 2013, the Company sold $38.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes ("Notes"). During the nine months ended July 31, 2014, the total $38.0 million of outstanding principal was converted by Note holders and the Company issued 24,516,141 shares of common stock. In connection with the conversion of the Notes, the Company recorded an increase in common stock and additional paid in capital based on the carrying value of the converted Notes which included the converted Notes principal, a proportional amount of unamortized debt discount, and a proportional amount of unamortized debt issuance costs. The change of control put redemption and interest make-whole payment upon conversion features embedded in the Notes required bifurcation from the host debt contract. The aggregate fair value of these derivatives as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 is $0 and $4.7 million, respectively. As a result of the Note conversions, 5,514,272 shares were issued and a payment of $0.3 million was made to settle the make-whole payment. The total fair value of the shares issued for the make-whole payment was $12.9 million which resulted in a charge of $8.7 million and a reduction to the embedded derivative liability of $4.6 million. The derivatives were included in Long term debt and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the make-whole charge is included in Other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations.
	As of July 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding principal on its revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (the "Bank") totaling $0.9 million. On August 1, 2014, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility with the Bank which has a total available borrowing capacity of $4.0 million. This credit facility replaces the Company’s previous credit facility with the Bank which expired concurrent with this agreement. The agreement has a one year term with renewal provisions. The outstanding principal balance of the facility bears interest, at the option of the Company, of either the one-month LIBOR plus 1.5 percent or the prime rate of JP Morgan Chase. The facility is secured by certain working capital assets and general intangibles, up to the amount of the outstanding facility balance.
	In April 2008, we entered into a 10-year loan agreement with the Connecticut Development Authority allowing for a maximum amount borrowed of $4.0 million. The interest rate is 5% and the loan is collateralized by the assets procured under this loan as well as $4.0 million of additional machinery and equipment. Repayment terms require interest and principal payments through May 2018.
	On March 5, 2013 the Company closed on a long-term loan agreement with the Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority (CEFIA) totaling $5.9 million in support of the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Park project. The loan agreement carries an interest rate of 5.0%. Interest only payments commenced in January 2014 and principal payments will commence on the eighth anniversary of the project's provisional acceptance date, which is December 20, 2021, payable in forty eight equal monthly installments. Outstanding amounts are secured by future cash flows from the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Park service agreement.

Shareholders_Equity_Deficit

Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)	'
	Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
	Changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit)
	Changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) were as follows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			interest			Equity (Deficit)
		Equity (Deficit)
	Balance as of October 31, 2013	$	(12,412	)	$	(780	)	$	(13,192	)
	Common stock issued for convertible note conversions	33,303			—			33,303
	Common stock issued to settle make-whole obligation	12,883			—			12,883
	Share-based compensation	2,182			—			2,182
	Sale of common stock, net of registration fees	99,218			—			99,218
	Taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards, net of stock issued under benefit plans	(1,087		)	—			(1,087		)
	Preferred dividends – Series B	(2,400		)	—			(2,400		)
	Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	67			—			67
	Net loss	(33,425		)	(568		)	(33,993		)
	Balance as of July 31, 2014	$	98,329		$	(1,348	)	$	96,981
	Common Stock and Warrant Issuances
	During the nine months ended July 31, 2014, investors elected to convert the total outstanding $38.0 million in aggregate principal of the 8.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes. As a result of these conversions, the Company issued 24,516,141 shares of common stock related to the conversions, 5,514,272 shares to settle the make-whole obligation and 250,611 shares for accrued interest.
	On July 30, 2014, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with NRG and issued 14,644,352 shares of common stock to NRG at a per share price of $2.39 for a total purchase price of $35.0 million. The per share price was equal to the per share closing NASDAQ market price on July 29, 2014. In conjunction with the sale of common stock to NRG, the Company also issued a warrant to NRG. Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, NRG has the right to purchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $3.35 per share. The Warrant has a term of three years from the Closing Date. The warrants qualified for permanent equity accounting treatment.
	On January 23, 2014, the Company completed a public offering of 25.3 million shares of common stock, including 3.3 million shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. All shares were offered by the Company at a price of $1.25 per share. Total net proceeds to the Company were approximately $29.5 million.
	The Company may sell common stock on the open market from time to time. The proceeds of these sales may be used to pay obligations related to the Company's outstanding Series I and Series B preferred shares and the 8.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes or for general corporate purposes. During the nine months ended July 31, 2014, the Company sold 16,472,300 shares of the Company's common stock at prevailing market prices through periodic trades on the open market and raised approximately $34.7 million, net of fees.
	On September 4, 2013, the Company entered into a co-marketing agreement with NRG for the marketing and sales of the Company's power plants. The terms of the agreement included the issuance of warrants to NRG that permit NRG to purchase up to 5.0 million shares of the Company's common stock at predetermined prices based on attaining minimum sales goals. The first tranche of 1.25 million warrants expired unvested on March 1, 2014. There are two tranches remaining of warrants with varying strike prices, varying minimum levels of qualifying orders, and different vesting and expiration dates. The weighted average strike price for the remaining 3.75 million warrants is $2.08. The qualifying order vesting dates range from December 2014 through September 2015 and the expiration dates range from December 2017 through August 2018. Any costs associated with the warrants will be recorded as a reduction of potential future revenue recorded under the arrangement. No warrants were vested and no expense was recorded as of July 31, 2014.

Loss_Per_Share

Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Loss Per Share	'
	Loss Per Share
	The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share was as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator
	Net loss	$	(7,139	)	$	(5,814	)	$	(33,993	)	$	(25,322	)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	161			202			568			664
	Preferred stock dividend	(800		)	(800		)	(2,400		)	(2,400		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(7,778	)	$	(6,412	)	$	(35,825	)	$	(27,058	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average basic common shares	258,178,826			192,051,578			233,933,636			190,006,331
	Effect of dilutive securities (1)	—			—			—			—
	Weighted average diluted common shares	258,178,826			192,051,578			233,933,636			190,006,331
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted loss per share (1)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)
	-1	Diluted loss per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Potentially dilutive instruments include stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, convertible preferred stock and warrants. As of July 31, 2014 and 2013, there were options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock and at July 31, 2014 there were warrants to purchase 5.75 million shares of common stock as they would be antidilutive.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]	'
Restricted cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	As of July 31, 2014 $25.1 million of cash and cash equivalents was pledged as collateral for letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contractual commitments, compared to $10.0 million of cash and cash equivalents pledged as of October 31, 2013. The restricted cash balance as of July 31, 2014 includes $15.0 million which has been placed in a Grantor's Trust account to secure certain FCE obligations under a 15-year SA and has been classified as Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term. As of July 31, 2014, outstanding letters of credit totaled $7.8 million compared to $7.7 million as of October 31, 2013. These expire on various dates through April 2019.

Accounts_Receivable_Level_2_Po

Accounts Receivable Level 2 (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We bill customers for power plant and module kit sales based on certain contractual milestones being reached. We bill SA's based on the contract price and billing terms of the contracts. Generally, our advanced technology contracts are billed based on actual recoverable costs incurred, typically in the month subsequent to incurring costs. Some advanced technology contracts are billed based on contractual milestones or costs incurred. Unbilled recoverable costs relate to revenue recognized on customer contracts that have not been billed.

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	'
	Accounts receivable as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Advanced Technology (including U.S. Government(1)):
	Amount billed	$	1,276	$	786
	Unbilled recoverable costs	2,756		639
		4,032		1,425
	Commercial Customers:
	Amount billed	5,769		17,344
	Unbilled recoverable costs	29,754		30,347
		35,523		47,691
	Accounts receivable, net	$	39,555	$	49,116
	-1	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of July 31, 2014 is $1.6 million.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of inventory as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31,		October 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	23,173	$	20,599
	Work-in-process (1)	32,588		35,586
	Inventories	$	55,761	$	56,185
	-1	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or stack components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service SA's. Included in work-in-process as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 is $19.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, of completed standard components.

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Other current assets as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
			31-Jul-14		31-Oct-13
	Advance payments to vendors (1)		$	3,056	$	4,235
	Debt issuance costs (2)		—		494
	Deferred finance costs (3)		128		—
	Notes receivable (4)		529		478
	Prepaid expenses and other (5)		4,852		6,072
	Other current assets		$	8,565	$	11,279
	-1	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
	-2	Represents the current portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. The convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
	-3	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	-4	Current portion of long-term notes receivable.
	-5	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.

Other_Assets_net_Tables

Other Assets, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Other assets, net as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Long-term stack residual value (1)	$	2,725	$	2,898
	Debt issuance costs (2)	—		1,721
	Deferred finance costs (3)	514		—
	Other (4)	638		846
	Other assets, net	$	3,877	$	5,465
	-1	Relates to expected residual value for module exchanges performed under the Company's SA's where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the SA and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the SA. If the Company does not obtain rights to title from the customer, the cost of the module is expensed at the time of the module exchange.
	(2) Represents the long-term portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. As of July 31, 2014, the convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
	(3) Represents the long-term portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	(4) Includes security deposits and notes receivable.

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Accrued liabilities as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
		July 31, 2014		October 31, 2013
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits (1)	$	4,294	$	4,647
	Accrued contract and operating costs (2)	34		87
	Accrued product warranty cost (3)	1,316		860
	Accrued service agreement costs (4)	3,670		4,186
	Accrued repair and upgrade program and modules due POSCO Energy (5)	—		7,267
	Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other (6)	2,304		4,865
	Accrued Liabilities	$	11,618	$	21,912
	-1	Balance relates to amounts owed to employees for compensation and benefits as of the end of the period.
	-2	Balance includes estimated losses accrued on product sales contracts.
	-3	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $2.6 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $2.2 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.
	-4	As of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the loss accrued on SA's totaled $2.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Also included in this line item is an accrual for performance guarantees penalties under the terms of our customer contracts, which based on our ongoing analysis of historical fleet performance, totaled $0.8 million and $0.5 million as of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively.
	-5	The balance of the accrual as of October 31, 2013 related to three replacement modules due to POSCO Energy, which were delivered in the first quarter of 2014.
	-6	Balance includes accrued sales, use and payroll taxes as well as legal, professional and other expense accruals as of the end of the period.

Debt_and_Leases_Tables

Debt and Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	As of July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, debt consisted of the following:
			31-Jul-14			31-Oct-13
	Revolving credit facility		$	945		$	6,500
	Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes		—			38,000
	Connecticut Development Authority Note		3,086			3,246
	Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority Note		6,052			5,744
	Capitalized lease obligations		713			497
	Total debt		10,796			53,987
	Unamortized debt discount		—			(3,106		)
			10,796			50,881
	Current portion of long-term debt		(1,404		)	(6,931		)
	Long-term debt		$	9,392		$	43,950
Schedule of future minimum debt and lease payments [Text Block]	'
	Aggregate annual principal payments under our loan agreements and capital lease obligations, excluding payments relating to the revolving credit facility, for the years subsequent to July 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year 1	$	459
	Year 2	500
	Year 3	401
	Year 4	2,434
	Year 5	6
	Thereafter	6,051
		$	9,851

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) were as follows for the nine months ended July 31, 2014:
		Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			interest			Equity (Deficit)
		Equity (Deficit)
	Balance as of October 31, 2013	$	(12,412	)	$	(780	)	$	(13,192	)
	Common stock issued for convertible note conversions	33,303			—			33,303
	Common stock issued to settle make-whole obligation	12,883			—			12,883
	Share-based compensation	2,182			—			2,182
	Sale of common stock, net of registration fees	99,218			—			99,218
	Taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards, net of stock issued under benefit plans	(1,087		)	—			(1,087		)
	Preferred dividends – Series B	(2,400		)	—			(2,400		)
	Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	67			—			67
	Net loss	(33,425		)	(568		)	(33,993		)
	Balance as of July 31, 2014	$	98,329		$	(1,348	)	$	96,981

Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Loss Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share was as follows:
		Three Months Ended July 31,						Nine Months Ended July 31
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator
	Net loss	$	(7,139	)	$	(5,814	)	$	(33,993	)	$	(25,322	)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	161			202			568			664
	Preferred stock dividend	(800		)	(800		)	(2,400		)	(2,400		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(7,778	)	$	(6,412	)	$	(35,825	)	$	(27,058	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average basic common shares	258,178,826			192,051,578			233,933,636			190,006,331
	Effect of dilutive securities (1)	—			—			—			—
	Weighted average diluted common shares	258,178,826			192,051,578			233,933,636			190,006,331
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)
	Diluted loss per share (1)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)
	-1	Diluted loss per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Potentially dilutive instruments include stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, convertible preferred stock and warrants. As of July 31, 2014 and 2013, there were options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock and at July 31, 2014 there were warrants to purchase 5.75 million shares of common stock as they would be antidilutive.

Nature_of_Business_and_Basis_o1

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details) (POSCO Energy [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
POSCO Energy [Member]	'	'
Common stock ownership percentage	11.00%	'
significant customer revenue percentage	68.00%	53.00%

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Government Contract Receivable	$1,276,000		$786,000
Government Contract Receivable, Unbilled Amounts	2,756,000		639,000
U.S. Government accounts receivable total	4,032,000	[1]	1,425,000
Contract Receivable	5,769,000		17,344,000
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	29,754,000		30,347,000
Commercial Customers accounts receivable	35,523,000		47,691,000
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	39,555,000		49,116,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	60,000		10,000
POSCO Energy [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	12,600,000		17,400,000
Government [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Government Contract Receivable	$1,600,000		'
[1]	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of July 31, 2014 is $1.6 million.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'
Raw materials	$23,173,000		$20,599,000
Work in process	32,588,000	[1]	35,586,000	[1]
Inventory, Net	55,761,000		56,185,000
Completed Standard Component	$19,900,000		$5,800,000
[1]	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or stack components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service SA's. Included in work-in-process as of JulyB 31, 2014 and OctoberB 31, 2013 is $19.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, of completed standard components.

Other_Current_Assets_Details

Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$4,000,000		'
Advance payments to vendors	3,056,000	[1]	4,235,000	[1]
Debt issuance costs	0	[2]	494,000	[2]
Notes receivable	529,000	[3]	478,000	[3]
Prepaid expenses and other	4,852,000	[4]	6,072,000	[4]
Total	8,565,000		11,279,000
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	40,000,000		'
Letter of Credit [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt issuance costs	$128,000	[5]	$0	[5]
[1]	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
[2]	Represents the current portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. The convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
[3]	Current portion of long-term notes receivable.
[4]	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.
[5]	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Other_Assets_net_Details

Other Assets, net (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$4,000,000		'
Long-term stack residual value	2,725,000	[1]	2,898,000	[1]
Debt issuance costs	0	[2]	1,721,000	[2]
Other	638,000	[3]	846,000	[3]
Other assets, net	3,877,000		5,465,000
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]	'		'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	40,000,000		'
Letter of Credit [Member]	'		'
Debt issuance costs	$514,000	[4]	$0	[4]
[1]	where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the SA and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the SA. If the Company does not obtain rights to title from the customer, the cost of the module is expensed at the time of the module exchange.
[2]	Represents the long-term portion of capitalized debt issuance costs relating to the convertible debt issuance. As of July 31, 2014, the convertible notes have been converted and the debt issuance costs have been adjusted to additional paid in capital.
[3]	Includes security deposits and notes receivable.
[4]	Represents the long-term portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'		'
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$4,294,000	[1]	$4,647,000	[1]
Accrued contract and operating costs	34,000	[2]	87,000	[2]
Reserve for product warranty costs	1,316,000	[3]	860,000	[3]
Reserve for service agreement costs	3,670,000	[4]	4,186,000	[4]
Reserve for repair and upgrade program and modules due POSCO Energy	0	[5]	7,267,000	[5]
Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other	2,304,000	[6]	4,865,000	[6]
Accrued Liabilities, Current	11,618,000		21,912,000
Product Warranty Accrual, Warranties Issued	2,600,000		'
Product Warranty Accrual, Payment and Adjustments	2,200,000		'
Loss Reserve on Service Agreements	2,900,000		3,700,000
Reserve for Performance Guarantees	$800,000		$500,000
[1]	Balance relates to amounts owed to employees for compensation and benefits as of the end of the period.
[2]	Balance includes estimated losses accrued on product sales contracts.
[3]	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the nine months ended July 31, 2014 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $2.6 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $2.2 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.
[4]	As of JulyB 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the loss accrued on SA's totaled $2.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Also included in this line item is an accrual for performance guarantees penalties under the terms of our customer contracts, which based on our ongoing analysis of historical fleet performance, totaled $0.8 million and $0.5 million as of JulyB 31, 2014 and OctoberB 31, 2013, respectively.
[5]	October 31, 2013 related to three replacement modules due to POSCO Energy, which were delivered in the first quarter of 2014.
[6]	Balance includes accrued sales, use and payroll taxes as well as legal, professional and other expense accruals as of the end of the period.

Debt_and_Leases_Details

Debt and Leases (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jun. 25, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 25, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Mar. 05, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Mar. 05, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

NRG Energy [Member]

NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Connecticut Development Authority Note [Member]

Connecticut Development Authority Note [Member]

Connecticut Clean Energy Fund [Member]

Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority [Member]

Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority [Member]

Connecticut Clean Energy and Finance Investment Authority [Member]

Parent [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

$945,000

$945,000

$6,500,000

'

'

'

'

$3,086,000

$3,246,000

'

$6,052,000

$5,744,000

'

'

'

Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes

0

0

38,000,000

38,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations

713,000

713,000

497,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Gross

10,796,000

10,796,000

53,987,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

0

0

-3,106,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

10,796,000

10,796,000

50,881,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

-1,404,000

-1,404,000

-6,931,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

9,392,000

9,392,000

43,950,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

4,000,000

4,000,000

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

5,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

5.00%

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

embedded derivative cash payment

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability

0

0

4,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities, Debt Obligation

'

5,514,272

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities

'

24,516,141

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other

'

12,883,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,883,000

'

Embedded Derivative, Loss on Embedded Derivative

8,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Embedded Derivative, No Longer Bifurcated, Amount Reclassified to Stockholders' Equity

4,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount

38,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collateralized Agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_and_Leases_Debt_Details

Debt and Leases Debt (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt and Capital Leases, minimum payment due in less than 12 months	$459
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	500
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	401
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2,434
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	6
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	6,051
Debt and Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$9,851

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 30, 2014	Jan. 23, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jun. 25, 2013
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount	$38,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes	0	'	'	0	'	'	'	38,000,000	38,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	'	'	24,516,141	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities, Debt Obligation	'	'	'	5,514,272	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other	'	'	'	250,611	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock issued relating to full exercise of an over allottment option	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,300,000	'	'
Price Per Share for New Common Stock Issuance	'	'	'	'	'	$2.39	$1.25	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	14,644,352	25,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	2,000,000	'	'	2,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$3.35	'	'	$3.35	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	-13,192,000	'	-13,192,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	'	'	33,303,000	0	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other	'	'	'	12,883,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Granted During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	'	2,182,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	'	'	'	99,218,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	'	-1,087,000	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-800,000	'	-800,000	-2,400,000	-2,400,000	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-43,000	'	-8,000	67,000	13,000	'	'	'	'
Net Loss	-7,139,000	'	-5,814,000	-33,993,000	-25,322,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	96,981,000	'	'	96,981,000	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	35,000,000	'	'	99,728,000	-20,000	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	5,000,000	'	'	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Unissued	1,250,000	'	'	1,250,000	'	'	'	'	'
number of tranches of warrants	2	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	3,750,000	'	'	3,750,000	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Strike Price of Warrants or Rights Outstanding	$2.08	'	'	$2.08	'	'	'	'	'
Public stock offering [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	29,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	-12,412,000	'	-12,412,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	'	'	33,303,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other	'	'	'	12,883,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Granted During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	'	2,182,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	'	'	'	99,218,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	'	-1,087,000	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends, Preferred Stock	'	'	'	-2,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	67,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net Loss	'	'	'	-33,425,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	98,329,000	'	'	98,329,000	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	-780,000	'	-780,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net Loss	'	'	'	-568,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,348,000	'	'	-1,348,000	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	'	'	16,472,300	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	'	'	'	$34,700,000	'	'	'	'	'

Loss_Per_Share_Details

Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2014		Jul. 31, 2013
Numerator [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net Loss	($7,139)		($5,814)		($33,993)		($25,322)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	161		202		568		664
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-800		-800		-2,400		-2,400
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($7,778)		($6,412)		($35,825)		($27,058)
Demoninator [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	258,178,826		192,051,578		233,933,636		190,006,331
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	258,178,826		192,051,578		233,933,636		190,006,331
Earnings Per Share, Basic	($0.03)		($0.03)		($0.15)		($0.14)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	($0.03)	[1]	($0.03)	[1]	($0.15)	[1]	($0.14)	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	3,100,000		3,100,000		3,100,000		3,100,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	5,750,000		'		5,750		'
[1]	Diluted loss per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Potentially dilutive instruments include stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, convertible preferred stock and warrants. As of July 31, 2014 and 2013, there were options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock and at July 31, 2014 there were warrants to purchase 5.75 million shares of common stock as they would be antidilutive.

Restricted_Cash_Details

Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$25,100,000	$10,000,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	20,215,000	4,950,000
Letter of Credit Date of Expiration	1-Apr-19	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	7,800,000	7,700,000
Dominion Bridgeport FuelCell Park [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	$15,000,000	'
Debt Instrument, Term	'15 years	'