FuelCell Energy (FCEL) 10-Q 11 Mar 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 06, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	FUELCELL ENERGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	886128
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		294,662,631

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted	$84,664	$83,710
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - short term	5,625	5,523
Accounts receivable, net	60,628	64,375
Inventories	56,620	55,895
Project assets	5,712	784
Other current assets	9,880	7,528
Total current assets	223,129	217,815
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	21,642	19,600
Property, plant and equipment, net	26,589	25,825
Goodwill	4,075	4,075
Intangible Assets	9,592	9,592
Other assets, net	3,634	3,729
Total assets	288,661	280,636
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	1,484	1,439
Accounts payable	22,501	22,969
Accrued liabilities	11,779	12,066
Deferred revenue	42,859	37,626
Preferred stock obligation of subsidiary	849	961
Total current liabilities	79,472	75,061
Long-term deferred revenue	22,190	20,705
Long-term preferred stock obligation of subsidiary	11,857	13,197
Long-term debt and other liabilities	13,273	13,367
Total liabilities	126,792	122,330
Redeemable preferred stock (liquidation preference of $64,020 at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014)	59,857	59,857
Shareholders' equity
Common stock ($.0001 par value); 400,000,000 as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014; 291,990,254 and 287,160,003 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.	29	29
Additional paid-in capital	917,436	909,431
Accumulated deficit	-813,380	-809,314
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-447	-159
Treasury stock, Common, at cost (41,357 and 45,550 shares as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively)	-56	-95
Deferred Compensation Equity	56	95
Total shareholders' equity	103,638	99,987
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	-1,626	-1,538
Total equity	102,012	98,449
Total liabilities and equity	$288,661	$280,636

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
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	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	291,990,254	287,160,003
Common stock, shares outstanding	291,990,254	287,160,003
Treasury stock, shares	41,357	45,550

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenues (1):
Product sales	$33,418	$34,460
Service agreements and license revenues	3,871	4,960
Advanced technologies contract revenues	4,381	5,014
Total revenues	41,670	44,434
Costs of revenues:
Cost of product sales	30,348	33,028
Cost of service agreements and license revenues	3,568	4,157
Cost of advanced technologies contract revenues	3,740	5,050
Total costs of revenues	37,656	42,235
Gross profit	4,014	2,199
Operating expenses:
Administrative and selling expenses	5,640	4,854
Research and development expenses	3,504	4,915
Total costs and expenses	9,144	9,769
Loss from operations	-5,130	-7,570
Interest expense	-664	-1,361
Other income (expense), net	1,680	-1,774
Loss before provision for income taxes	-4,114	-10,705
Provision for income taxes	-40	-110
Net Loss	-4,154	-10,815
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	88	211
Net loss attributable to FuelCell Energy, Inc.	-4,066	-10,604
Preferred stock dividends	-800	-800
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($4,866)	($11,404)
Loss per share basic and diluted
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	($0.02)	($0.06)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	285,584,931	200,637,819

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Statements of Operations Parentheticals (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$33,418	$34,460
Service agreements and license revenues	3,871	4,960
Advanced technologies contract revenues	4,381	5,014
Related Party [Member]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	22,100	29,100
Service agreements and license revenues	1,900	3,100
Advanced technologies contract revenues	$400	$0

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Los

Statement of Comprehensive Loss Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Net Loss	($4,154)	($10,815)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-288	-20
Comprehensive loss	($4,442)	($10,835)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($4,154)	($10,815)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation	761	621
Gain from change in fair value of embedded derivatives	-39	-225
Make whole derivative expense	0	2,422
Depreciation	963	1,068
Interest expense on preferred stock obligation	480	492
Foreign exchange gains	-1,513	-801
Other non-cash transactions, net	-125	105
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Accounts receivable	3,747	15,227
Inventories	-725	4,333
Project assets	-4,928	0
Other assets	-2,857	2,530
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable	-468	-6,138
Accrued liabilities	-131	-11,151
Deferred revenue	6,718	-2,742
Net cash used in operating activities	-2,271	-5,074
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-1,616	-790
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,616	-790
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	-121	-95
Proceeds from debt	0	250
Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents	-2,144	-16,141
Payment of preferred dividends and return of capital	-1,094	-1,113
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of registration fees	8,488	33,755
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,129	16,656
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates	-288	-20
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	954	10,772
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period	83,710	67,696
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period	84,664	78,468
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash interest paid	155	1,535
Noncash financing and investing activity:
Common stock issued for Employee Stock Purchase Plan in settlement of prior year accrued employee contributions	168	106
Accrued sale of common stock, cash received in subsequent period	33	0
Debt Conversion and Make Whole Obligation [Member]
Noncash financing and investing activity:
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	$0	$17,200

Nature_of_Business_and_Basis_o

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 and royalty 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 period ended January 31, 2015 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, 2014 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, 2014, 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, accrual on service agreements, 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, owned approximately 11.0 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of January 31, 2015. Revenues from POSCO Energy for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 represent 54% and 73%, respectively, of consolidated revenues.
	NRG Energy, Inc. ("NRG") is a related party and owned approximately 6.0 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of January 31, 2015. NRG Yield is a dividend growth-oriented company formed by NRG Energy, Inc. that owns, operates and acquires a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the United States. Revenues from NRG and NRG Yield for the three months ended January 31, 2015 represents 5.0 percent of consolidated revenues. There were no sales to NRG for the three months ended January 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 fiscal years, and interim periods within those years 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	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Advanced Technology (including U.S. Government(1)):
	Amount billed	$	855	$	2,517
	Unbilled recoverable costs	4,973		2,886
		5,828		5,403
	Commercial Customers:
	Amount billed	10,566		8,871
	Unbilled recoverable costs	44,234		50,101
		54,800		58,972
	Accounts receivable, net	$	60,628	$	64,375
	-1	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 was $3.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
	We bill customers for power plant and module kit sales based on certain contractual milestones being reached. We bill service agreements 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 $0.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.
	Commercial Customers accounts receivable (including Unbilled recoverable costs) included amounts due from POSCO Energy of $20.5 million and $29.9 million as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively and amounts due from NRG and NRG Yield of $6.9 million as of January 31, 2015. There were no amounts outstanding from NRG as of October 31, 2014.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	The components of inventory as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	28,962	$	25,460
	Work-in-process (1)	27,658		30,435
	Inventories	$	56,620	$	55,895
	-1	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or module components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service our service agreements. Included in work-in-process as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 was $17.0 million and $19.2 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 and modules, which are subcomponents of a power plant.

Project_assets_Notes

Project assets (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Project assets [Abstract]
Project assets [Text Block]	Project Assets
	Project assets as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were $5.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Project assets consist primarily of costs relating to our fuel cell projects in various stages of development that we capitalize prior to entering into a definitive sales or long-term financing agreement for the project. These projects are actively being marketed and intended to be sold although we may choose to retain such projects during initial stages of operations. In the future this financial statement caption may include projects that have begun commercial operation under the project power purchase agreements in advance of a sale or permanent financing. Project asset costs include costs for developing and constructing a complete turn-key fuel cell project. Development costs can include legal, consulting, permitting, interconnect, and other similar costs. Once we enter into a definitive sales agreement we expense project assets to cost of sales after the respective project asset is sold to a customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We classify project assets as current if the expected Commercial Operation Date is less than twelve months and long-term if it is greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date. We review project assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Cur

Other Current Assets Other Current Assets	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Other Current Assets [Text Block]	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
			31-Jan-15		31-Oct-14
	Advance payments to vendors (1)		$	5,246	$	2,372
	Deferred finance costs (2)		129		129
	Notes receivable		561		529
	Prepaid expenses and other (3)		3,944		4,498
	Other current assets		$	9,880	$	7,528
	-1	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
	-2	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	-3	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.

Other_Assets_net

Other Assets, net	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Other Assets, net	Other Assets, net
	Other assets, net as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Long-term stack residual value (1)	$	2,725	$	2,725
	Deferred finance costs (2)	451		483
	Other	458		521
	Other assets, net	$	3,634	$	3,729
	-1	Relates to expected residual value for module exchanges performed under the Company's service agreements where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the service agreement and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the service agreement. 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 direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$	3,453	$	4,432
	Accrued contract and operating costs	34		34
	Accrued product warranty cost (1)	1,361		1,156
	Accrued service agreement costs	4,293		3,882
	Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other	2,638		2,562
	Accrued Liabilities	$	11,779	$	12,066
	-1	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the three months ended January 31, 2015 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $0.5 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $0.3 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.

Shareholders_Equity_Deficit

Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)	Shareholders’ Equity
	Changes in shareholders’ equity
	Changes in shareholders’ equity were as follows for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			interest			Equity
		Equity
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	99,987		$	(1,538	)	$	98,449
	Share-based compensation	761			—			761
	Sale of common stock, net of registration fees	7,887			—			7,887
	Stock issued under benefit plans net of taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards	157			—			157
	Preferred dividends – Series B	(800		)	—			(800		)
	Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	(288		)	—			(288		)
	Net loss	(4,066		)	(88		)	(4,154		)
	Balance as of January 31, 2015	$	103,638		$	(1,626	)	$	102,012
	Common Stock Sales
	The Company may sell common stock on the open market from time to time. The proceeds of these sales may be used for general corporate purposes or to pay obligations related to the Company's outstanding Series 1 and Series B preferred shares. During the three months ended January 31, 2015, the Company sold 4,679,350 shares of the Company's common stock at prevailing market prices through periodic trades on the open market and raised approximately $7.9 million, net of fees.
	Outstanding Warrants
	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 and the second tranche of 1.5 million warrants expired unvested on December 31, 2014. There is one tranche of 2.25 million warrants remaining with a strike price of $1.98 and a qualifying order vesting date through September 2015 and an expiration date of 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 January 31, 2015.
	On July 30, 2014, the Company also issued a warrant to NRG in conjunction with entry into a Securities Purchase Agreement for the sale of common stock. 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.

Loss_Per_Share

Loss Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 January 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerator
	Net loss	$	(4,154	)	$	(10,815	)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	88			211
	Preferred stock dividend	(800		)	(800		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(4,866	)	$	(11,404	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average basic common shares	285,584,931			200,637,819
	Effect of dilutive securities (1)	—			—
	Weighted average diluted common shares	285,584,931			200,637,819
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.06	)
	Diluted loss per share (1)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.06	)
	-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 January 31, 2015 and 2014, there were options to purchase 3.0 million and 3.1 million, respectively, shares of common stock and as of January 31, 2015 and 2014 and there were warrants to purchase 4.3 million and 5.0 million , respectively, shares of common stock which were excluded from the computation as they would be antidilutive.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted cash	Restricted Cash
	As of January 31, 2015, there was $27.3 million of cash and cash equivalents was pledged as collateral for letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contractual commitments, compared to $25.1 million of cash and cash equivalents pledged as of October 31, 2014. The restricted cash balance for both periods presented includes $15.0 million which has been placed in a Grantor's Trust account to secure certain FuelCell Energy obligations under a 15-year service agreement and has been classified as long-term. As of January 31, 2015, outstanding letters of credit totaled $9.6 million compared to $7.4 million as of October 31, 2014. These expire on various dates through April 2019.

Accounts_Receivable_Level_2_Po

Accounts Receivable Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 service agreements 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)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	Accounts receivable as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Advanced Technology (including U.S. Government(1)):
	Amount billed	$	855	$	2,517
	Unbilled recoverable costs	4,973		2,886
		5,828		5,403
	Commercial Customers:
	Amount billed	10,566		8,871
	Unbilled recoverable costs	44,234		50,101
		54,800		58,972
	Accounts receivable, net	$	60,628	$	64,375
	-1	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 was $3.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	The components of inventory as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	28,962	$	25,460
	Work-in-process (1)	27,658		30,435
	Inventories	$	56,620	$	55,895
	-1	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or module components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service our service agreements. Included in work-in-process as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 was $17.0 million and $19.2 million, respectively, of completed standard components.

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	Other current assets as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
			31-Jan-15		31-Oct-14
	Advance payments to vendors (1)		$	5,246	$	2,372
	Deferred finance costs (2)		129		129
	Notes receivable		561		529
	Prepaid expenses and other (3)		3,944		4,498
	Other current assets		$	9,880	$	7,528
	-1	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
	-2	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.
	-3	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.

Other_Assets_net_Tables

Other Assets, net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	Other assets, net as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Long-term stack residual value (1)	$	2,725	$	2,725
	Deferred finance costs (2)	451		483
	Other	458		521
	Other assets, net	$	3,634	$	3,729
	-1	Relates to expected residual value for module exchanges performed under the Company's service agreements where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the service agreement and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the service agreement. 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 direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Accrued liabilities as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		January 31, 2015		October 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$	3,453	$	4,432
	Accrued contract and operating costs	34		34
	Accrued product warranty cost (1)	1,361		1,156
	Accrued service agreement costs	4,293		3,882
	Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other	2,638		2,562
	Accrued Liabilities	$	11,779	$	12,066
	-1	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the three months ended January 31, 2015 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $0.5 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $0.3 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	Changes in shareholders’ equity were as follows for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Total			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			interest			Equity
		Equity
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	99,987		$	(1,538	)	$	98,449
	Share-based compensation	761			—			761
	Sale of common stock, net of registration fees	7,887			—			7,887
	Stock issued under benefit plans net of taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards	157			—			157
	Preferred dividends – Series B	(800		)	—			(800		)
	Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustments	(288		)	—			(288		)
	Net loss	(4,066		)	(88		)	(4,154		)
	Balance as of January 31, 2015	$	103,638		$	(1,626	)	$	102,012

Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Loss Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
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 January 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerator
	Net loss	$	(4,154	)	$	(10,815	)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	88			211
	Preferred stock dividend	(800		)	(800		)
	Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(4,866	)	$	(11,404	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average basic common shares	285,584,931			200,637,819
	Effect of dilutive securities (1)	—			—
	Weighted average diluted common shares	285,584,931			200,637,819
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.06	)
	Diluted loss per share (1)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.06	)
	-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 January 31, 2015 and 2014, there were options to purchase 3.0 million and 3.1 million, respectively, shares of common stock and as of January 31, 2015 and 2014 and there were warrants to purchase 4.3 million and 5.0 million , respectively, shares of common stock which were excluded from the computation as they would be antidilutive.

Nature_of_Business_and_Basis_o1

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
POSCO Energy [Member]
Common stock ownership percentage	11.00%
significant customer revenue percentage	54.00%	73.00%
NRG Energy [Member]
Common stock ownership percentage	6.00%
significant customer revenue percentage	5.00%	0.00%

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Government Contract Receivable	$855,000		$2,517,000
Government Contract Receivable, Unbilled Amounts	4,973,000		2,886,000
U.S. Government accounts receivable total	5,828,000	[1]	5,403,000	[1]
Contract Receivable	10,566,000		8,871,000
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	44,234,000		50,101,000
Commercial Customers accounts receivable	54,800,000		58,972,000
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	60,628,000		64,375,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	132,000		132,000
POSCO Energy [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	20,500,000		29,900,000
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	6,900,000		0
Government [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Government Contract Receivable	$3,000,000		$1,700,000
[1]	Total U.S. Government accounts receivable outstanding as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 was $3.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$28,962,000		$25,460,000
Work in process	27,658,000	[1]	30,435,000	[1]
Inventory, Net	56,620,000		55,895,000
Completed Standard Component	$17,000,000		$19,200,000
[1]	Work-in-process includes the standard components of inventory used to build the typical modules or module components that are intended to be used in future power plant orders or to service our service agreements. Included in work-in-process as of JanuaryB 31, 2015 and OctoberB 31, 2014 was $17.0 million and $19.2 million, respectively, of completed standard components.

Project_assets_Details

Project assets (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Project assets [Abstract]
Project assets	$5,712	$784

Other_Current_Assets_Details

Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Advance payments to vendors	$5,246,000	[1]	$2,372,000	[1]
Notes receivable	561,000		529,000
Prepaid expenses and other	3,944,000	[2]	4,498,000	[2]
Total	9,880,000		7,528,000
NRG Energy [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	$129,000	[3]	$129,000	[3]
[1]	Advance payments to vendors relate to inventory purchases.
[2]	Primarily relates to other prepaid vendor expenses including insurance, rent and lease payments.
[3]	Represents the current portion of direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Other_Assets_net_Details

Other Assets, net (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Long-term stack residual value	$2,725,000	[1]	$2,725,000	[1]
Other	458,000		521,000
Other assets, net	3,634,000		3,729,000
NRG Energy [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	40,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt issuance costs	$451,000	[2]	$483,000	[2]
[1]	Relates to expected residual value for module exchanges performed under the Company's service agreements where the useful life extends beyond the contractual term of the service agreement and the Company obtains title for the module from the customer upon expiration or non-renewal of the service agreement. 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 direct deferred finance costs relating to securing a $40.0 million loan facility with NRG and will be amortized over the five-year life of the facility.

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$3,453,000		$4,432,000
Accrued contract and operating costs	34,000		34,000
Reserve for product warranty costs	1,361,000	[1]	1,156,000	[1]
Reserve for service agreement costs	4,293,000		3,882,000
Accrued taxes, legal, professional and other	2,638,000		2,562,000
Accrued Liabilities, Current	11,779,000		12,066,000
Product Warranty Accrual, Warranties Issued	500,000
Product Warranty Accrual, Payment and Adjustments	$300,000
[1]	Activity in the accrued product warranty costs for the three months ended January 31, 2015 included additions for estimates of potential future warranty obligations of $0.5 million on contracts in the warranty period and reductions related to actual warranty spend of $0.3 million as contracts progress through the warranty period or are beyond the warranty period.

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	4,300,000	5,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$3.35
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$98,449
Stock Granted During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	761
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	7,887
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	157
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-800	-800
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-288	-20
Net Loss	-4,154	-10,815
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	102,012
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	8,488	33,755
Class of Warrant or Right, Unissued	1,250,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	2,250,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Strike Price of Warrants or Rights Outstanding	$1.98
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	99,987
Stock Granted During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	761
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	7,887
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	157
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-800
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-288
Net Loss	-4,066
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	103,638
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity (decifit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,538
Net Loss	-88
Stockholders' equity (deficit), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,626
Common Stock [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	4,679,350
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$7,900
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	2,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	5,000,000

Loss_Per_Share_Details

Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	4,300,000		5,000,000
Numerator [Abstract]
Net Loss	($4,154)		($10,815)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	88		211
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-800		-800
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	($4,866)		($11,404)
Demoninator [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	285,584,931		200,637,819
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	0	[1]	0	[1]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	285,584,931		200,637,819
Earnings Per Share, Basic	($0.02)		($0.06)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	($0.02)	[1]	($0.06)	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	3,000,000		3,100,000
[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 January 31, 2015 and 2014, there were options to purchase 3.0 million and 3.1 million, respectively, shares of common stock and as of January 31, 2015 and 2014 and there were warrants to purchase 4.3 million and 5.0 million , respectively, shares of common stock which were excluded from the computation as they would be antidilutive.

Restricted_Cash_Details

Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$27,300,000	$25,100,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	21,642,000	19,600,000
Letter of Credit Date of Expiration	1-Apr-19
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	9,600,000	7,400,000
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