Advanced Energy Industries (AEIS) 10-Q8 Nov 132013 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

DEI_Parenthetical

DEI Parenthetical	9 Months Ended
DEI Parenthetical	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000927003	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	39,984,269

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$92,449	$146,564
Marketable securities	12,277	25,683
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,372 and $4,589, respectively	130,311	83,914
Inventories, net of reserves of $16,341 and $14,629, respectively	123,152	81,482
Deferred income tax assets	19,465	19,477
Income taxes receivable	9,249	4,315
Other current assets	13,908	9,075
Total current assets	400,811	370,510
Property and equipment, net	36,348	39,523
OTHER ASSETS:	'	'
Deposits and other	7,641	7,529
Goodwill	148,432	60,391
Other intangible assets, net	20,494	46,209
Deferred income tax assets	13,953	13,998
Total assets	627,679	538,160
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	67,563	41,044
Income taxes payable	2,017	11,029
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	11,713	11,675
Accrued warranty expense	11,710	7,419
Other accrued expenses	21,946	15,399
Customer deposits	3,849	2,080
Notes payable to banks	11,436	0
Total current liabilities	130,234	88,646
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:	'	'
Deferred income tax liabilities	18,095	16,832
Uncertain tax positions	13,669	13,669
Accrued warranty expense	6,426	7,378
Other long-term liabilities	44,414	24,004
Total liabilities	212,838	150,529
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 70,000 shares authorized; 39,959 and 37,991 issued and outstanding, respectively	40	38
Additional paid-in capital	240,157	212,520
Retained earnings	143,079	145,348
Accumulated other comprehensive income	31,565	29,725
Total stockholders' equity	414,841	387,631
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$627,679	$538,160

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts receivable, allowances	$4,372	$4,589
Inventory, reserves	$16,341	$14,629
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	39,959	37,991
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	39,959	37,991

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
SALES	$142,899	$117,515	$394,424	$338,960
COST OF SALES	86,688	71,788	243,115	209,760
GROSS PROFIT	56,211	45,727	151,309	129,200
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	15,105	14,564	45,098	44,181
Selling, general and administrative	22,138	16,806	62,702	53,571
Amortization of intangible assets	626	1,416	4,814	4,139
Restructuring charges	19,884	3,003	44,090	5,434
Total operating expenses	57,753	35,789	156,704	107,325
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	-1,542	9,938	-5,395	21,875
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET	164	65	-369	2,251
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-1,378	10,003	-5,764	24,126
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-2,065	4,268	-3,495	8,824
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	687	5,735	-2,269	15,302
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	0	430
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$687	$5,735	($2,269)	$15,732
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	39,878	37,807	39,365	39,148
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,577	38,330	40,150	39,720
CONTINUING OPERATIONS:	'	'	'	'
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.39
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.39
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'	'	'
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0	$0	$0	$0.01
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0	$0	$0	$0.01
NET INCOME:	'	'	'	'
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.40
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.40

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income (loss)	$687	$5,735	($2,269)	$15,732
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,376	1,095	1,851	226
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	-5	2	-12	16
Comprehensive income (loss)	$6,058	$6,832	($430)	$15,974

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($2,269)	$15,732
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	14,487	13,109
Stock-based compensation expense	9,310	10,072
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	-13	-54
Restructuring charges	44,090	5,434
Net gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets	421	-557
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-35,711	31,130
Inventories	-23,453	-6,995
Other current assets	-727	4,086
Accounts payable	8,356	7,673
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	-5,665	4,344
Income taxes	-13,472	8,276
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-4,646	92,250
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-16,137	-20,522
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	29,493	23,476
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0	2,200
Purchase of property and equipment	-6,589	-6,676
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	75,374	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-68,607	-1,522
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings from lines of credit	-916	0
Purchase and retirement of common stock	0	-57,117
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	-20,026	-2,669
Excess tax from stock-based compensation deduction	-604	-634
Other financing activities	-69	-71
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	18,437	-55,153
EFFECT OF CURRENCY TRANSLATION ON CASH	701	-2,180
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-54,115	33,395
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	146,564	117,639
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	92,449	'
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	70	14
Cash paid for income taxes	14,888	3,343
Cash received for refunds of income taxes	2,945	7,345
Cash held in banks outside the United States of America	$29,068	$37,543

Operations_and_Summary_of_Sign

Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ("we," "us," "our," "Advanced Energy," or the "Company") design, manufacture, sell, and support power conversion products that transform power into various usable forms. Our products enable manufacturing processes that use thin film deposition for various products, such as semiconductor devices, flat panel displays, thin film renewables, and architectural glass. We also supply thermal instrumentation products for advanced temperature control in the thin film process for these same markets. Our solar inverter products support renewable power generation solutions for primarily commercial, and utility-scale solar projects and installations. Our network of global service support centers provides a recurring revenue opportunity as we offer repair services, conversions, upgrades, and refurbishments to companies using our products. We also offer a wide variety of operations and maintenance service plans that can be tailored for individual photovoltaic ("PV") sites of all sizes.
	We are organized into two strategic business units ("SBU") based on the products and services provided.
	Thin Films Processing Power Conversion and Thermal Instrumentation ("Thin Films") SBU offers products for direct current ("DC"), pulsed DC mid frequency, and radio frequency ("RF") power supplies, matching networks and RF instrumentation as well as thermal instrumentation products.
	Solar Energy SBU offers both a transformer-based or transformerless advanced grid-tied PV inverter solution for commercial and utility-scale system installations. Our PV inverters are designed to convert renewable solar power, drawn from large and small scale solar arrays, into high-quality, reliable electrical power.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2013, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and other financial information filed with the SEC.
	ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
	The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the significant estimates, assumptions, and judgments when accounting for items and matters such as allowances for doubtful accounts, excess and obsolete inventory, warranty reserves, acquisitions, asset valuations, goodwill, asset life, depreciation, amortization, recoverability of assets, impairments, deferred revenue, stock option and restricted stock grants, taxes, and other provisions are reasonable, based upon information available at the time they are made. Actual results may differ from these estimates, making it possible that a change in these estimates could occur in the near term.
	REVENUE RECOGNITION
	Our accounting policies are described in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") or other standards setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"). Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued guidance, whether adopted or to be adopted in the future, is not expected to have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements upon adoption.

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo

Business Acquisition and Disposition (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Business Acquisition and Disposition (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS ACQUISITION & DISPOSITION	'
	BUSINESS ACQUISITION & DISPOSITION
	Acquisition
	Solvix SA
	On November 8, 2012, we acquired Solvix SA ("Solvix"), a privately-held Switzerland based company, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated November 8, 2012 between AEI International Holdings, CV ("AEI CV"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Energy incorporated in the Netherlands, and CPA Group SA ("CPA Group"), a privately held Switzerland company. Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, AEI CV purchased 100% of the outstanding stock of Solvix.
	We acquired all of the outstanding Solvix common stock for total consideration with a fair value of approximately $21.2 million consisting of cash payments totaling $16.0 million, net of cash acquired, and contingent consideration payable to the former shareholders of Solvix. The additional cash consideration of up to $7.9 million is payable to CPA Group if certain milestone targets are met during the year ending December 31, 2013 and certain financial targets are met in the three years ended December 31, 2015. The estimated fair value of this contingent consideration is approximately $5.3 million as of November 8, 2012, of which the remaining balance of $0.9 million is included in Other accrued expenses and $2.3 million is included in Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Solvix is a manufacturer of power supplies for the surface treatment and thin films industry. Solvix manufactures products that bring plasma-based sputtering and cathodic arc deposition applications to Advanced Energy's existing product portfolio and is included in our Thin Film business unit. Solvix has approximately 10 employees and had revenues of $5.2 million in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.
	During 2013, we initiated the move of the Solvix product line from a contract manufacturer in Switzerland to our Shenzhen facility. The move will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2013.
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Solvix acquisition are as follows (in thousands):


	Cash paid to owners	$	16,673
	Cash paid to owners	$	16,673
	Contingent consideration	5,253
	Contingent consideration	5,253
	Cash acquired	(680		)
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of November 8, 2012 (in thousands):


	Cash	$	680
	Cash	$	680
	Accounts receivable	1,074
	Accounts receivable	1,074
	Inventories	57
	Inventories	57
	Other receivables	32
	Other receivables	32
	Other current assets	46
	Other current assets	46
	Property and equipment	43
	Property and equipment	43
	Accounts payable	(390		)
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	(186		)
	Other accrued expenses	(159		)
	Customer deposits	(38		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(1,628		)
		(469		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Trademarks	106
	Trademarks	106
	Technology	2,723
	Technology	2,723
	Customer relationships	5,398
	Customer relationships	5,398
	Total amortizable intangible assets	8,227
	Total amortizable intangible assets	8,227
	Total identifiable net assets	7,758
	Total identifiable net assets	7,758
	Goodwill	13,488
	Goodwill	13,488
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of November 8, 2012 follows (in thousands, except useful life):


			Amount				Amortization Method		Useful Life
	Trademarks		$	106			Straight-line		3
	Trademarks		$	106			Straight-line		3
	Technology		2,723				Straight-line		9
	Technology		2,723				Straight-line		9
	Customer relationships - other		755				Straight-line		7
	Customer relationships - other		755				Straight-line		7
Customer relationships - design		4,643				Straight-line		12
Customer relationships - design		4,643				Straight-line		12
		$	8,227
		$	8,227
Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the functional currency of the entity and are subject to changes due to translation at each balance sheet date.
The cost of the acquisition may increase or decrease based on the final amount payable to the former owner of Solvix related to the financial targets to be met during the three years ending December 31, 2015. Advanced Energy is in the process of finalizing valuations of other intangibles, estimates of the fair value of liabilities associated with the acquisition and deferred taxes and expects to complete the acquisition accounting and required disclosures prior to December 31, 2013.
Refusol Holding
On April 8, 2013, we acquired all the outstanding shares of Refusol Holding GmbH pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement ") between AEI Holdings, GmbH (formerly Blitz S13-103, GmbH) ("AEI Holdings"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. and Jolaos Verwaltungs GmbH ("Jolaos") and Prettl Beteilgungs Holding GmbH. Refusol Holding GmbH ("Refusol Holding") owns all of the shares of Refusol GmbH and its subsidiaries (collectively and together with Refusol Holding, "Refusol"). Refusol develops, manufactures, distributes and services photovoltaic inverters.
All of the outstanding shares of Refusol Holding were acquired for total consideration of approximately $87.2 million, consisting of a cash payment of $75.4 million, net of cash acquired and a working capital reduction and assumption of debt totaling $11.9 million. The agreement calls for additional cash consideration if certain stretch financial targets are met by our Solar Energy business unit and Refusol, on a combined basis, at the end of the twelve (12) calendar months following April 1, 2013. The contingent consideration has no estimated fair value as of April 8, 2013 based on management's estimates of operating income for the Solar Energy business unit for the specified period. The preliminary base price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on confirmation of the financial statements of Refusol effective as of the closing date.
Refusol develops three-phase string inverters for commercial customers across Europe and Asia. Its three-phase string inverter offerings range in size from 8kW to 24kW broadening the range of solar inverter products offered by Advanced Energy. Refusol is included in our Solar Energy business unit. Refusol had revenues of $170.5 million in its fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Refusol acquisition are as follows (in thousands):


Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
Debt assumed	11,873
Debt assumed	11,873
Working capital adjustment	(2,340		)
Cash acquired	(1,836		)
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 8, 2013 (in thousands):


Accounts receivable	10,705
Accounts receivable	10,705
Inventories	17,477
Inventories	17,477
Other current assets	7,028
Other current assets	7,028
Property and equipment	5,165
Property and equipment	5,165
Other long-term assets	130
Other long-term assets	130
Current liabilities	(21,257		)
Long-term liabilities	(23,664		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(2,985		)
	(7,401		)
Amortizable intangible assets:
Trademarks	1,300
Trademarks	1,300
Technology	5,700
Technology	5,700
Customer relationships	3,500
Customer relationships	3,500
Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
Total identifiable net assets	3,099
Total identifiable net assets	3,099
Goodwill	84,148
Goodwill	84,148
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of April 8, 2013 follows (in thousands, except useful life):


		Amount				Amortization Method		Useful Life
Trademarks		$	1,300			Straight-line		1.5
Trademarks		$	1,300			Straight-line		1.5
Technology		5,700				Straight-line		5
Technology		5,700				Straight-line		5
Customer relationships		3,500				Straight-line		5
Customer relationships		3,500				Straight-line		5
		$	10,500
		$	10,500
Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the functional currency of the entity and are subject to changes due to translation at each balance sheet date. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is the result of expected synergies and expansion of the technology into additional markets that we already serve.
The cost of the acquisition may increase or decrease based on the final amount payable to the former owner of Refusol related to the financial targets to be met during the twelve month period subsequent to April 1, 2013 and a post-closing working capital adjustment based on confirmation of the financial statements of Refusol effective as of the closing date. Advanced Energy is in the process of finalizing valuations of accounts receivable, inventory, other intangibles, property, plant and equipment, estimates of the fair value of liabilities associated with the acquisition and deferred taxes.
The results of Refusol operations are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning April 8, 2013. For the period ended September 30, 2013, net sales of approximately $43.8 million and operating loss of $3.1 million attributable to Refusol were included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refusol's results of operations included restructuring charges of $3.7 million and amortization of purchased intangible assets of $1.4 million.
Pro Forma Results for Refusol Acquisition
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Advanced Energy and Refusol as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2012. The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at January 1, 2012. The unaudited pro forma financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes the historical results of Advanced Energy for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the historical results of Refusol for the same periods.
The unaudited pro forma results for all periods presented include amortization charges for acquired intangible assets and related tax effects. These pro forma results consider the sale of the gas flow control business and related product lines as discontinued operations. The unaudited pro forma results follow (in thousands, except per share data):


	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012				2013			2012
Sales	$	142,899			$	175,874			$	414,507		$	295,015
Sales	$	142,899			$	175,874			$	414,507		$	295,015
Net income (loss)	687				5,679				(6,975		)	9,433
Net income (loss)	687				5,679				(6,975		)	9,433
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$0.02				$	0.15			$	(0.18	)	$	0.24
Basic	$0.02				$	0.15			$	(0.18	)	$	0.24
Diluted	$0.02				$	0.14			$	(0.17	)	$	0.24
Diluted	$0.02				$	0.14			$	(0.17	)	$	0.24
Disposition
On October 15, 2010, we completed the sale of our gas flow control business, which included the Aera® mass flow control and related product lines to Hitachi Metals, Ltd. ("Hitachi"), for approximately $43.3 million. Assets and liabilities sold included, without limitation, inventories, real property in Hachioji, Japan, equipment, certain contracts, intellectual property rights related to the gas flow control business and certain warranty liability obligations.
In connection with the closing of this asset disposition, we entered into a Master Services Agreement and a Supplemental Transition Services Agreement pursuant to which we provided certain transition services until October 2011 and we became an authorized service provider for Hitachi in all countries other than Japan. In March 2012, we entered into an agreement to sell certain fixed assets to Hitachi and cease providing contract manufacturing services. As of May 31, 2012, we ceased providing contract manufacturing services to Hitachi and completed the sale of certain fixed assets related to that manufacturing. The sale of these assets resulted in a $1.9 million gain, which is recorded in Other income (expense), net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of June 30, 2012, all manufacturing activities and relationships with Hitachi related to the previously owned gas flow control business have ended. We do not anticipate any additional activity with Hitachi in respect of these assets that would materially impact our financial statements in the future.
In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations, for the periods reported in this Form 10-Q, the results of continuing operations were reduced by the revenue and costs associated with the gas flow control business, which are included in the Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Operating results of discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):


		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012
		2012
Sales		$	8,959
Sales		$	8,959
Cost of sales		9,189
Cost of sales		9,189
Gross profit (loss)		(230		)
Operating expenses:
Research and development		—
Research and development		—
Selling, general, and administrative		88
Selling, general, and administrative		88
Total operating expenses		88
Total operating expenses		88
Operating income (loss) from discontinued operations		(318		)
Other income		881
Other income		881
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		563
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		563
Provision for income taxes		133
Provision for income taxes		133
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$	430
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$	430

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The following table sets out the tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,378	)	$	10,003		$	(5,764	)	$	24,126

	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(2,065		)	4,268			(3,495		)	8,824

	Effective tax rate	149.9		%	42.7		%	60.6		%	36.6		%
	The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of changes in foreign earnings coupled with the impact of the restructuring charges in the period. The effective tax rate is also impacted by discrete items recorded in the period.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the company recognized $4.9 million in net discrete tax benefits related to unrecognized tax benefits including the expiration of the statutes of limitations for multiple tax years. As of September 30, 2013, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $4.7 million, all of which, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.
	Our policy is to classify accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax provision. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the amount of interest and penalties accrued related to our unrecognized tax benefits was not significant.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS
	Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the numerator is increased to exclude charges that would not have been incurred, and the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding (using the if-converted and treasury stock methods), if securities containing potentially dilutive common shares (e.g., stock options and restricted stock units) had been converted to common shares, and if such assumed conversion is dilutive.
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data):


			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012		2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income taxes		$	687		$	5,735	$	(2,269	)	$	15,302


	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		39,878			37,807		39,365			39,148

	Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units		699			523		785			572

	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		40,577			38,330		40,150			39,720

	Income from continuing operations:

	Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	0.02		$	0.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.39

	Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.02		$	0.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.39

	The following stock options were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive:


		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013	2012
	Stock options	382			4,042		609	5,118

	Share Repurchases
	In October 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $25.0 million of our stock over a twelve-month period. Under this program, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we have not yet repurchased any shares.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	Our investments with original maturities of more than three months at time of purchase are considered marketable securities available for sale.
	The composition of our marketable securities is as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,					December 31,
		2013					2012
		Cost			Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	Commercial paper	$	—		$	—	$	749	$	749

	Certificates of deposit	12,277			12,277		12,498		12,498

	Corporate bonds/notes	—			—		11,274		11,253

	Municipal bonds/notes	—			—		285		285

	Agency bonds/notes	—			—		900		898

	Total marketable securities	$	12,277		$	12,277	$	25,706	$	25,683

	The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:


		Earliest			Latest
	Certificates of deposit	10/8/13		to	8/17/15

	The value and liquidity of the marketable securities we hold are affected by market conditions, as well as the ability of the issuers of such securities to make principal and interest payments when due, and the functioning of the markets in which these securities are traded. Our current investments in marketable securities are expected to be liquidated during the next twelve months.
	As of September 30, 2013, we do not believe any of the underlying issuers of our marketable securities are presently at risk of default.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We are impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We manage these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily forward contracts. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts to manage the exchange rate risk associated with intercompany debt denominated in nonfunctional currencies. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedges; however, they do offset the fluctuations of our intercompany debt due to foreign exchange rate changes. These forward contracts are typically for one month periods. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we had outstanding Euro, Swiss Franc, and Canadian Dollar forward contracts. At September 30, 2013, we also had outstanding Japanese Yen forward contracts.
	The notional amount of foreign currency exchange contracts at September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $36.0 million and $31.2 million, respectively, and the fair value of these contracts was not significant at September 30, 2013 and 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized losses of $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, on our foreign currency exchange contracts. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized losses of $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. These losses were offset by corresponding gains on the related intercompany debt and both are included as a component of Other income (expense), net, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE	'
	ASSETS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE
	The following tables present information about our financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012. The tables indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. We did not have any financial liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012.


	September 30, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	12,277	$	—	$	12,277

	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	12,277	$	—	$	12,277


	December 31, 2012	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	749	$	—	$	749

	Certificates of deposit	—		12,498		—		12,498

	Corporate bonds/notes	—		11,253		—		11,253

	Municipal bonds/notes	—		285		—		285

	Agency bonds/notes	898		—		—		898

	Total marketable securities	$	898	$	24,785	$	—	$	25,683

	There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 fair value measurements during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES	'
	INVENTORIES
	Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and computed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Parts and raw materials	$	85,789	$	59,484

	Work in process	6,017		3,728

	Finished goods	31,346		18,270

	Inventories, net of reserves	$	123,152	$	81,482

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	'
	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
	Details of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Buildings and land	$	1,776		$	1,794

	Machinery and equipment	42,681			40,993

	Computer and communication equipment	24,169			22,895

	Furniture and fixtures	4,370			1,845

	Vehicles	370			359

	Leasehold improvements	23,472			27,976

	Construction in process	4,719			3,362

		101,557			99,224

	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(65,209		)	(59,701		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	36,348		$	39,523

	Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Depreciation expense	$	3,269		$	3,075		$	9,673	$	8,970

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL	'
	GOODWILL
	The following summarizes the changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):


	Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	$	60,391

	Additions	84,148

	Translation adjustments	3,893

	Gross carrying amount, end of period	$	148,432

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
Intangible Assets	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):


		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Impairment			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	323	$	(26,167	)	$	(14,006	)	$	10,518	4
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	323	$	(26,167	)	$	(14,006	)	$	10,518	4
	Trademarks and other	18,515		386		(5,705		)	(3,220		)	9,976		7
	Trademarks and other	18,515		386		(5,705		)	(3,220		)	9,976		7
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	709	$	(31,872	)	$	(17,226	)	$	20,494
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	709	$	(31,872	)	$	(17,226	)	$	20,494

	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):


		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount			Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	44,668	$	83	$	(10,775	)	$	33,976		7
	Technology-based	$	44,668	$	83	$	(10,775	)	$	33,976		7
	Trademarks and other	13,703		167		(1,637		)	12,233			9
	Trademarks and other	13,703		167		(1,637		)	12,233			9
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	58,371	$	250	$	(12,412	)	$	46,209
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	58,371	$	250	$	(12,412	)	$	46,209
	Amortization expense relating to other intangible assets included in our income (loss) from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Amortization expense	$	626	$	1,416	$	4,814		$	4,139
	Amortization expense	$	626	$	1,416	$	4,814		$	4,139
	Amortization expense related to intangibles for each of the five years 2013 through 2017 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ending December 31,
	2013 (remaining)	$	1,322
	2013 (remaining)	$	1,322
	2014	5,062
	2014	5,062
	2015	3,979
	2015	3,979
	2016	2,744
	2016	2,744
	2017	2,744
	2017	2,744
	Thereafter	4,643
	Thereafter	4,643
		$	20,494
		$	20,494

Accrued_Liabilities_Notes

Accrued Liabilities (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES	'
	OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):


		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other accrued expenses:
	Current deferred tax liability	$	4,139	$	4,137

	Accrued restructuring costs	3,445		1,853

	Current contingent consideration	851		2,773

	Accrued sales and use tax	3,597		1,010

	Other*	9,914		5,626

	Total Other accrued expenses	$	21,946	$	15,399

	*Other accrued expenses consisted of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Notes

Restructuring Costs (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RESTRUCTURING COSTS	'
	RESTRUCTURING COSTS
	In April 2013, we committed to a restructuring plan to take advantage of additional cost saving opportunities in connection with our acquisition of Refusol. The plan called for consolidating certain facilities, further centralizing our manufacturing and rationalizing certain products to most effectively meet customer needs. Collectively, these steps will enable us to more efficiently use our resources to achieve strategic goals.
	As a part of the product rationalization initiated under the restructuring plan, we determined that the intangible assets associated with certain technology should be tested for recoverability. To test the intangible assets for recoverability, we compared the carrying value of the assets with their fair value which resulted in an impairment of $36.2 million which is recorded in restructuring charges and asset impairment in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

	Over the next three months, we will continue to consolidate facilities; transfer the remaining supply chain activities of our Thin Films business unit to the Shenzhen, China manufacturing facility; and rationalize the inverter product line to most effectively meet the needs of its customers. As a result, we anticipate additional charges of approximately $0.5 million, all of which are expected to be cash expenditures. Estimated total expenses to be incurred under the plan are approximately $44.6 million to $44.9 million. Of this total, approximately $6.5 million to $6.8 million relates to severance costs, $6.2 million to $6.5 million for space consolidation, and $31.9 million for product rationalization and impairments of the intangible assets associated with the technology around those products.

	The following table summarizes the components of our restructuring costs incurred under the 2013 plan (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended		Cumulative costs through
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013		September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	1,590		$	6,010	$	6,010

	Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	18,475			36,219		36,219

	Facility closure costs	(181		)	1,861		1,861

	Total restructuring charges	$	19,884		$	44,090	$	44,090

	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2013 plan (in thousands):


		Balances at December 31, 2012			Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates			Balances at September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	—		$	6,011	$	(3,417	)	$	(100	)	$	2,494

	Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	—			36,219		(36,219		)	—			—

	Facility closure costs	—			1,860		(1,518		)	19			361

	Total restructuring liabilities	$	—		$	44,090	$	(41,154	)	$	(81	)	$	2,855


	In September 2011, we approved and committed to several initiatives to realign our manufacturing and research and development activities in order to foster growth and enhance profitability. These initiatives are designed to align research and development activities with the location of our customers and reduce production costs. Under this plan, we reduced our global headcount, consolidated our facilities by terminating or exiting several leases, and recorded impairments for assets no longer in use due to the restructuring of our business. All activities under this restructuring plan were completed prior to December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under this plan (in thousands):


		Balances at December 31, 2012			Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates			Balances at September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	1,345		$	—	$	(1,137	)	$	—		$	208

	Facility closure costs	508			—		(126		)	—			382

	Total restructuring liabilities	$	1,853		$	—	$	(1,263	)	$	—		$	590

Warranties

Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
WARRANTIES	'
	WARRANTIES
	Provisions of our sales agreements include product warranties customary to these types of agreements, ranging from 18 months to 24 months following installation for Thin Films products and 5 years to 10 years following installation for Solar Energy products. Our provision for the estimated cost of warranties is recorded when revenue is recognized. The warranty provision is based on historical experience by product, configuration and geographic region.
	We establish accruals for warranty issues that are probable to result in future costs. Changes in product warranty accruals are as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balances at beginning of period	$	20,419		$	14,057		$	14,797		$	14,719

	Warranty liabilities acquired	—			—			10,678			—

	Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	2,404			2,650			8,108			6,350

	Warranty expenditures	(4,687		)	(1,832		)	(15,447		)	(6,194		)
	Balances at end of period	$	18,136		$	14,875		$	18,136		$	14,875

	We also offer our Solar Energy customers the option to purchase additional warranty coverage up to 20 years after the base warranty period expires. Deferred revenue related to such extended warranty contracts was $24.9 million as of September 30, 2013 and is all classified in Other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2012, deferred revenue related to extended warranty contracts was $20.5 million, of which $0.4 million is classified in Customer deposits and $20.1 million is classified in Other long-term liabilities.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	We recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards issued. Stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	4,106	$	2,835	$	9,310	$	10,072
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	4,106	$	2,835	$	9,310	$	10,072
	Stock Options
	Stock option awards, other than awards under our 2012-2014 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTI Plan"), are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock at the date of grant, a four-year vesting schedule, and a term of 10 years.
	Under the LTI Plan, we made grants of performance based options and awards during the first quarter of 2012, which will vest annually over a three-year period based on the Company's achievement of return on net assets targets established by our Board of Directors at the beginning of each year. These awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock at the date of grant and have a term of 10 years. The fair value of each grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model utilizing an expected volatility of 61.5%, a risk-free rate of 1.2%, a dividend yield of zero, and an expected term of 5.6 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options is $6.19 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of the awards is $11.03 per share.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we granted additional options and awards under the LTI plan to our chief executive officer who was not previously a participant in the plan. The fair value of these shares was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model utilizing an expected volatility of 68.9%, a risk free rate of 0.74%, a dividend yield of zero, and an expected term of 5.6 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options is $10.55 and the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards is $17.92.
	Also in the second quarter of 2013, we awarded restricted stock units to our chief executive officer which vest one-third on the grant date and one-third each on September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013. The grant-date fair value of the awards is $17.92.
	A summary of our stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


		Shares
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	5,659
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	5,659
	Options granted	43
	Options granted	43
	Options exercised	(1,624	)
	Options forfeited	(728	)
	Options expired	(122	)
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013	3,228
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013	3,228
	Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted Stock Units ("RSU") are generally granted with a four-year vesting schedule.
	A summary of our non-vested RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


		Shares
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,073
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,073
	RSUs granted	379
	RSUs granted	379
	RSUs vested	(434	)
	RSUs forfeited	(290	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	1,728
	Balance at September 30, 2013	1,728

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of the following (in thousands):


		Foreign Currency Adjustments		Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balances at December 31, 2012	$	29,730	$	(5	)	$	29,725

	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,852		(12		)	1,840

	Balances at September 30, 2013	$	31,582	$	(17	)	$	31,565

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	We have firm purchase commitments and agreements with various suppliers to ensure the availability of components. The obligation as of September 30, 2013 is approximately $59.4 million. Our policy with respect to all purchase commitments, is to record losses, if any, when they are probable and reasonably estimable. We continuously monitor these commitments for exposure to potential losses and will record a provision for losses when it is deemed necessary.
	We are involved in disputes and legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. There have been no material developments in legal proceedings in which we are involved during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we engaged in the following transactions with companies related to members of our Board of Directors, as described below (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Sales - related parties	$	20	$	102	$	635	$	579

	Rent expense - related parties	465		466		1,407		1,403

	Sales - Related Parties
	Members of our Board of Directors hold various executive positions and serve as directors at other companies, including companies that are our customers. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had sales to two such customers as noted above and accounts receivable from one such customers totaled $3,800 at September 30, 2013. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had sales to two such customers as noted above and no aggregate accounts receivable from these customers at December 31, 2012.
	Rent Expense - Related Parties
	We lease our executive offices, research and development, and manufacturing facilities in Fort Collins, Colorado from a limited liability partnership in which Douglas Schatz, our Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer, holds an interest. The leases relating to these spaces expire during 2021 and obligate us to total annual payments of approximately $2.0 million, which includes facilities rent and common area maintenance costs.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Our Thin Films SBU offers power conversion products for direct current, pulsed DC mid frequency, and radio frequency power supplies, matching networks, and RF instrumentation, as well as thermal instrumentation products. Our power conversion systems refine, modify, and control the raw electrical power from a utility and convert it into power that may be customized and is predictable and repeatable. Our thermal instrumentation products provide temperature measurement solutions for applications in which time-temperature cycles affect material properties, productivity, and yield. These products are used in rapid thermal processing, chemical vapor deposition, and other semiconductor and solar applications requiring non-contact temperature measurement. Our network of global service support centers offer repair services, conversions, upgrades, and refurbishments to companies using our products. Our Thin Films SBU principally serves original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and end customers in the semiconductor, flat panel display, solar panel, and other capital equipment markets.
	Our Solar Energy SBU offers both a transformer-based and a transformerless advanced grid-tied PV inverter solution primarily for commercial and utility-scale system installations. Our PV inverters are designed to convert renewable solar power, drawn from large and small scale solar arrays, into high-quality, reliable electrical power. Our Solar Energy SBU focuses on commercial and utility-scale solar projects and installations, selling primarily to distributors, engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, developers, and utility companies. Our Solar Energy revenue has seasonal variations. Installations of inverters are normally lowest during the first quarter as a result of typically poor weather and installation scheduling by our customers.
	Our chief operating decision maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer, and other management personnel regularly review our performance and make resource allocation decisions by reviewing the results of our two business segments separately. Revenue and operating profit is reviewed by our chief operating decision maker. We have also divided inventory and property and equipment based on business segment.

	Sales with respect to our operating segments is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Thin Films	$	75,409		$	56,780		$	208,888		$	182,013

	Solar Energy	67,490			60,735			185,536			156,947

	Total	$	142,899		$	117,515		$	394,424		$	338,960

	Income from continuing operations before income taxes by operating segment is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Thin Films	$	18,150		$	6,065		$	40,067		$	18,113

	Solar Energy	192			7,410			(1,372		)	10,643

	Total segment operating income	18,342			13,475			38,695			28,756

	Corporate expenses	—			(534		)	—			(1,447		)

	Restructuring charges	(19,884		)	(3,003		)	(44,090		)	(5,434		)
	Other income (expense), net	164			65			(369		)	2,251

	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,378	)	$	10,003		$	(5,764	)	$	24,126

	Corporate expenses in 2012 consist of intangible amortization that is now being allocated to the business units.
	Segment assets consist of inventories, net and property and equipment, net. A summary of consolidated total assets by segment follows (in thousands):


		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Thin Films	$	42,513		$	40,965

	Solar Energy	115,383			76,393

	Total segment assets	157,896			117,358

	Unallocated corporate property and equipment	1,603			3,647

	Unallocated corporate assets	468,180			417,155

	Consolidated total assets	$	627,679		$	538,160

	"Corporate" is a non-operating business segment with the main purpose of supporting operations. Unallocated corporate assets include accounts receivable, deferred income taxes, other current assets and intangible assets.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had one customer accounting for 10% or more of our sales. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc. were $23.5 million or 16.9% of total sales for the three month period and $65.0 million or 16.5% of total sales for the nine month period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had one customer accounting for 10% or more of our sales. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc. were $14.1 million or 12.0% of total sales during the three month period and $49.8 million or 14.7% of total sales during the nine month period. Our sales to Applied Materials, Inc. include thin film products used in semiconductor processing and solar, flat panel display, and architectural glass applications. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales during these periods.

Credit_Facility

Credit Facility	9 Months Ended
Credit Facility	Sep. 30, 2013
Credit Facility [Abstract]	'
CREDIT FACILITIES	'
	CREDIT FACILITIES
	In October 2012, we, along with two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, AE Solar Energy, Inc. and Sekidenko, Inc., entered into a Credit Agreement, subsequently amended in November 2012 and August 2013, (the "Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as agent for and on behalf of certain lenders (each a "Lender"), which provides for a new secured revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility provides us with the ability to borrow up to $50.0 million, although the amount of the Credit Facility may be increased by an additional $25.0 million up to a total of $75.0 million subject to receipt of lender commitments and other conditions. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base based upon our domestic accounts receivable and inventory and are available for various corporate purposes, including general working capital, capital expenditures, and certain permitted acquisitions. The Credit Agreement also permits us to issue letters of credit. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is October 12, 2017.
	At our election, the loans comprising each borrowing will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to either: (a) a "base rate" plus between one-half (0.5%) and one (1.0%) full percentage point depending on the amount available for additional draws under the Credit Facility ("Base Rate Loan"); or (b) the LIBOR rate then in effect plus between one and one-half (1.5%) and two (2%) percentage points depending on the amount available for additional draws under the Credit Facility. The "base rate" for any Base Rate Loan will be the greatest of the federal funds rate plus one-half (0.5%) percentage point; the one-month LIBOR rate plus one (1.0%) percentage point; and Wells Fargo's "prime rate" then in effect. As of September 30, 2013, the rate in effect was 4.25%.
	The Credit Agreement requires us to pay certain fees to the Lenders and contains affirmative and negative covenants, which, among other things, require us to deliver to the Lenders specified quarterly and annual financial information, and limit us and our Guarantors (as defined below), subject to various exceptions and thresholds, from, among other things: (i) creating liens on our assets; (ii) merging with other companies or engaging in other extraordinary corporate transactions; (iii) selling certain assets or properties; (iv) entering into transactions with affiliates; (v) making certain types of investments; (vi) changing the nature of our business; and (vii) paying certain distributions or certain other payments to affiliates. Additionally, there are the following financial covenants: (i) during any period in which $12.5 million or less is available to us under the Credit Facility and for sixty (60) days thereafter, the Credit Agreement requires the maintenance of a defined consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio; and (ii) if there is any indebtedness under any issued and outstanding convertible notes, we are required to maintain a specified level of liquidity.
	The Credit Agreement requires us to pay certain fees to the Lenders, including a $2,500 collateral management fee for each month that the Credit Facility is in place, and a fee based on the unused amount of the Credit Facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we expensed $0.2 million in interest and fees related to unused line of credit fees and amortization of debt issuance costs. We did not borrow against the Credit Facility in the three and nine month periods of 2013.
	Pursuant to a Guaranty and Security Agreement (the "GS Agreement"), borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our wholly-owned subsidiaries Aera Corporation and AEI US Subsidiary, Inc., (collectively the " Guarantors"). Under the GS Agreement, we and the Guarantors granted the Lenders a security interest in certain, but not all, of our and the Guarantors' assets.
	As part of the acquisition of Refusol described in Note 2. Business Acquisitions and Disposition, we assumed the outstanding debt of Refusol as of the acquisition date. There were three outstanding loans with banks related to this debt, of which one was repaid and cancelled during the third quarter of 2013.
	Refusol, GmbH has an outstanding loan agreement with Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft ("Commerzbank") for up to 8.0 million Euros ("Commerzbank Loan Agreement"). The agreement allows Refusol to borrow up to 8.0 million Euros through various types of instruments including an overdraft (revolving) facilities, money market (term) loans, surety loans, or guarantees. There is no maturity date. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at 5.32%. Surety and guarantee loans bear interest at 1.5%. Money market loans are granted by separate agreement when requested and must meet certain Euro thresholds related to the value depending on the maturity date chosen. The Commerzbank Loan Agreement requires the payment of a credit commission of 0.5% of the total loan amount. The agreement contains a various covenants including a financial covenant requiring a specified level of equity.
	Refusol, GmbH also had an outstanding loan agreement with Bayerische Landesbank ("Bayern") which allowed it to borrow up to 4.0 million Euros either as overdraft facilities, term loans, or guarantees with repayment occurring one lump sum at the maturity date of the individual transaction with respect to term loans, or maturity of the loan agreement which was July 31, 2013 (the "Bayern Loan Agreement"). The overdraft facility bore interest at 4.5%. Term loans bore interest at the money market rate established by Bayern at the time of the loan plus a margin of 1.9%. Guarantees bore interest at 1.25% and had an issuing fee per guarantee. Loan commitment fees were 0.25% on the unused portion of the total loan amount. The Bayern Loan Agreement contained certain reporting requirements and a financial covenant requiring a specified level of equity.
	Upon expiration of this agreement, Refusol, GmbH entered into a new loan agreement with Bayerische Landesbank ("Bayern") under which it has the ability to borrow up to 4.0 million Euros as either bank overdrafts, term loans, guarantees, or letters of credit. The overdraft facility bears interest at 3.9%, guarantees bears a rate of 1.64% and interest on term loans is a fixed rate set for each term loan period based on money market rates. Loan commitment fees are 0.25%. The loan matures on July 31, 2014.
	Refusol, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refusol, GmbH located in the United States, has a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo with an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million and a maturity date of July 1, 2013. Borrowings under the line of credit are secured by all of Refusol, Inc.'s accounts receivable, inventory, and property, plant, and equipment and a letter of credit issued under the Commerzbank Loan Agreement. The line of credit bears interest at either (a) a fluctuating rate per annum one quarter of one percent (0.25%) above the Prime Rate or (b) the LIBOR rate then in effect plus two percent (2.0%). Refusol, Inc. has the option to select the method of interest each month. A commitment fee of 0.125% is payable by Refusol, Inc. on the unused portion of the line of credit. The line of credit contains certain affirmative and negative covenants limiting Refusol, Inc.'s ability to borrow additional funds or guarantee the debt of others. This line of credit was paid down and cancelled on its maturity date of July 1, 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	Our policy with respect to all purchase commitments, is to record losses, if any, when they are probable and reasonably estimable.

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo1

Business Acquisition and Disposition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Business Acquisition and Disposition (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Gas Flow Control [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of results of discontinued operations	'
	Operating results of discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):


			Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2012
			2012
	Sales		$	8,959
	Sales		$	8,959
	Cost of sales		9,189
	Cost of sales		9,189
	Gross profit (loss)		(230		)
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		—
	Research and development		—
	Selling, general, and administrative		88
	Selling, general, and administrative		88
	Total operating expenses		88
	Total operating expenses		88
	Operating income (loss) from discontinued operations		(318		)
	Other income		881
	Other income		881
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		563
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		563
	Provision for income taxes		133
	Provision for income taxes		133
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$	430
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$	430
Solvix [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of components of fair value of consideration transferred	'
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Solvix acquisition are as follows (in thousands):


	Cash paid to owners	$	16,673
	Cash paid to owners	$	16,673
	Contingent consideration	5,253
	Contingent consideration	5,253
	Cash acquired	(680		)
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
Summary of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of November 8, 2012 (in thousands):


	Cash	$	680
	Cash	$	680
	Accounts receivable	1,074
	Accounts receivable	1,074
	Inventories	57
	Inventories	57
	Other receivables	32
	Other receivables	32
	Other current assets	46
	Other current assets	46
	Property and equipment	43
	Property and equipment	43
	Accounts payable	(390		)
	Accrued payroll and employee benefits	(186		)
	Other accrued expenses	(159		)
	Customer deposits	(38		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(1,628		)
		(469		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Trademarks	106
	Trademarks	106
	Technology	2,723
	Technology	2,723
	Customer relationships	5,398
	Customer relationships	5,398
	Total amortizable intangible assets	8,227
	Total amortizable intangible assets	8,227
	Total identifiable net assets	7,758
	Total identifiable net assets	7,758
	Goodwill	13,488
	Goodwill	13,488
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	21,246
Schedule of intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives	'
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of November 8, 2012 follows (in thousands, except useful life):


			Amount				Amortization Method	Useful Life
	Trademarks		$	106			Straight-line	3
	Trademarks		$	106			Straight-line	3
	Technology		2,723				Straight-line	9
	Technology		2,723				Straight-line	9
	Customer relationships - other		755				Straight-line	7
	Customer relationships - other		755				Straight-line	7
	Customer relationships - design		4,643				Straight-line	12
	Customer relationships - design		4,643				Straight-line	12
			$	8,227
			$	8,227
Refusol [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of components of fair value of consideration transferred	'
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Refusol acquisition are as follows (in thousands):


	Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
	Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
	Debt assumed	11,873
	Debt assumed	11,873
	Working capital adjustment	(2,340		)
	Cash acquired	(1,836		)
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Summary of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 8, 2013 (in thousands):


	Accounts receivable	10,705
	Accounts receivable	10,705
	Inventories	17,477
	Inventories	17,477
	Other current assets	7,028
	Other current assets	7,028
	Property and equipment	5,165
	Property and equipment	5,165
	Other long-term assets	130
	Other long-term assets	130
	Current liabilities	(21,257		)
	Long-term liabilities	(23,664		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(2,985		)
		(7,401		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Trademarks	1,300
	Trademarks	1,300
	Technology	5,700
	Technology	5,700
	Customer relationships	3,500
	Customer relationships	3,500
	Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
	Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
	Total identifiable net assets	3,099
	Total identifiable net assets	3,099
	Goodwill	84,148
	Goodwill	84,148
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Schedule of intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives	'
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of April 8, 2013 follows (in thousands, except useful life):


			Amount				Amortization Method	Useful Life
	Trademarks		$	1,300			Straight-line	1.5
	Trademarks		$	1,300			Straight-line	1.5
	Technology		5,700				Straight-line	5
	Technology		5,700				Straight-line	5
	Customer relationships		3,500				Straight-line	5
	Customer relationships		3,500				Straight-line	5
			$	10,500
			$	10,500
Schedule of pro forma results	'
	The unaudited pro forma results follow (in thousands, except per share data):


		(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
	Sales	$	142,899			$	175,874		$	414,507		$	295,015
	Sales	$	142,899			$	175,874		$	414,507		$	295,015
	Net income (loss)	687				5,679			(6,975		)	9,433
	Net income (loss)	687				5,679			(6,975		)	9,433
	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$0.02				$	0.15		$	(0.18	)	$	0.24
	Basic	$0.02				$	0.15		$	(0.18	)	$	0.24
	Diluted	$0.02				$	0.14		$	(0.17	)	$	0.24
	Diluted	$0.02				$	0.14		$	(0.17	)	$	0.24

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations	'
	The following table sets out the tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,378	)	$	10,003		$	(5,764	)	$	24,126

	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(2,065		)	4,268			(3,495		)	8,824

	Effective tax rate	149.9		%	42.7		%	60.6		%	36.6		%

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data):


			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012		2013			2012
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income taxes		$	687		$	5,735	$	(2,269	)	$	15,302


	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		39,878			37,807		39,365			39,148

	Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units		699			523		785			572

	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		40,577			38,330		40,150			39,720

	Income from continuing operations:

	Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	0.02		$	0.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.39

	Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.02		$	0.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.39

Schedule of stock options and restricted units were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	'
	The following stock options were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive:


		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013	2012
	Stock options	382			4,042		609	5,118

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
The composition of our marketable securities	'
	The composition of our marketable securities is as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,					December 31,
		2013					2012
		Cost			Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	Commercial paper	$	—		$	—	$	749	$	749

	Certificates of deposit	12,277			12,277		12,498		12,498

	Corporate bonds/notes	—			—		11,274		11,253

	Municipal bonds/notes	—			—		285		285

	Agency bonds/notes	—			—		900		898

	Total marketable securities	$	12,277		$	12,277	$	25,706	$	25,683

The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale	'
	The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:


		Earliest			Latest
	Certificates of deposit	10/8/13		to	8/17/15

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure1

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis	'
	The following tables present information about our financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012. The tables indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. We did not have any financial liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012.


	September 30, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	12,277	$	—	$	12,277

	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	12,277	$	—	$	12,277


	December 31, 2012	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	749	$	—	$	749

	Certificates of deposit	—		12,498		—		12,498

	Corporate bonds/notes	—		11,253		—		11,253

	Municipal bonds/notes	—		285		—		285

	Agency bonds/notes	898		—		—		898

	Total marketable securities	$	898	$	24,785	$	—	$	25,683

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of inventories	'
	Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and computed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Parts and raw materials	$	85,789	$	59,484

	Work in process	6,017		3,728

	Finished goods	31,346		18,270

	Inventories, net of reserves	$	123,152	$	81,482

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Details of property and equipment	'
	Details of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):


		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Buildings and land	$	1,776		$	1,794

	Machinery and equipment	42,681			40,993

	Computer and communication equipment	24,169			22,895

	Furniture and fixtures	4,370			1,845

	Vehicles	370			359

	Leasehold improvements	23,472			27,976

	Construction in process	4,719			3,362

		101,557			99,224

	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(65,209		)	(59,701		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	36,348		$	39,523

Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations	'
	Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Depreciation expense	$	3,269		$	3,075		$	9,673	$	8,970

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of the changes in goodwill	'
	The following summarizes the changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):


	Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	$	60,391

	Additions	84,148

	Translation adjustments	3,893

	Gross carrying amount, end of period	$	148,432

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Intangible Assets (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of other intangible assets	'
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):


		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Impairment			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	323	$	(26,167	)	$	(14,006	)	$	10,518	4
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	323	$	(26,167	)	$	(14,006	)	$	10,518	4
	Trademarks and other	18,515		386		(5,705		)	(3,220		)	9,976		7
	Trademarks and other	18,515		386		(5,705		)	(3,220		)	9,976		7
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	709	$	(31,872	)	$	(17,226	)	$	20,494
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	709	$	(31,872	)	$	(17,226	)	$	20,494

	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):


		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount			Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	44,668	$	83	$	(10,775	)	$	33,976		7
	Technology-based	$	44,668	$	83	$	(10,775	)	$	33,976		7
	Trademarks and other	13,703		167		(1,637		)	12,233			9
	Trademarks and other	13,703		167		(1,637		)	12,233			9
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	58,371	$	250	$	(12,412	)	$	46,209
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	58,371	$	250	$	(12,412	)	$	46,209
Schedule of amortization expense relating to other intangible assets	'
	Amortization expense relating to other intangible assets included in our income (loss) from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Amortization expense	$	626	$	1,416	$	4,814		$	4,139
	Amortization expense	$	626	$	1,416	$	4,814		$	4,139
Schedule of expected future amortization expense	'
	Amortization expense related to intangibles for each of the five years 2013 through 2017 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ending December 31,
	2013 (remaining)	$	1,322
	2013 (remaining)	$	1,322
	2014	5,062
	2014	5,062
	2015	3,979
	2015	3,979
	2016	2,744
	2016	2,744
	2017	2,744
	2017	2,744
	Thereafter	4,643
	Thereafter	4,643
		$	20,494
		$	20,494

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	'
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):


		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other accrued expenses:
	Current deferred tax liability	$	4,139	$	4,137

	Accrued restructuring costs	3,445		1,853

	Current contingent consideration	851		2,773

	Accrued sales and use tax	3,597		1,010

	Other*	9,914		5,626

	Total Other accrued expenses	$	21,946	$	15,399

	*Other accrued expenses consisted of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Tables

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
2013 Plan	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	The following table summarizes the components of our restructuring costs incurred under the 2013 plan (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended		Cumulative costs through
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013		September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	1,590		$	6,010	$	6,010

	Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	18,475			36,219		36,219

	Facility closure costs	(181		)	1,861		1,861

	Total restructuring charges	$	19,884		$	44,090	$	44,090

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2013 plan (in thousands):


		Balances at December 31, 2012			Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates			Balances at September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	—		$	6,011	$	(3,417	)	$	(100	)	$	2,494

	Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	—			36,219		(36,219		)	—			—

	Facility closure costs	—			1,860		(1,518		)	19			361

	Total restructuring liabilities	$	—		$	44,090	$	(41,154	)	$	(81	)	$	2,855

2011 Plan	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under this plan (in thousands):


		Balances at December 31, 2012			Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates			Balances at September 30, 2013
	Severance and related costs	$	1,345		$	—	$	(1,137	)	$	—		$	208

	Facility closure costs	508			—		(126		)	—			382

	Total restructuring liabilities	$	1,853		$	—	$	(1,263	)	$	—		$	590

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Changes in accrued product warranties	'
	Changes in product warranty accruals are as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Balances at beginning of period	$	20,419		$	14,057		$	14,797		$	14,719

	Warranty liabilities acquired	—			—			10,678			—

	Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	2,404			2,650			8,108			6,350

	Warranty expenditures	(4,687		)	(1,832		)	(15,447		)	(6,194		)
	Balances at end of period	$	18,136		$	14,875		$	18,136		$	14,875

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	4,106	$	2,835	$	9,310	$	10,072
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	4,106	$	2,835	$	9,310	$	10,072
Summary of stock option activity	'
	A summary of our stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


		Shares
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	5,659
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012	5,659
	Options granted	43
	Options granted	43
	Options exercised	(1,624	)
	Options forfeited	(728	)
	Options expired	(122	)
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013	3,228
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013	3,228
Summary of non-vested Restricted Stock Units activity	'
	A summary of our non-vested RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


		Shares
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,073
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,073
	RSUs granted	379
	RSUs granted	379
	RSUs vested	(434	)
	RSUs forfeited	(290	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	1,728
	Balance at September 30, 2013	1,728

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of the following (in thousands):


		Foreign Currency Adjustments		Unrealized Losses on Marketable Securities			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balances at December 31, 2012	$	29,730	$	(5	)	$	29,725

	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,852		(12		)	1,840

	Balances at September 30, 2013	$	31,582	$	(17	)	$	31,565

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of related party transactions	'
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we engaged in the following transactions with companies related to members of our Board of Directors, as described below (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Sales - related parties	$	20	$	102	$	635	$	579

	Rent expense - related parties	465		466		1,407		1,403

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Sales with respect to our operating segments is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Thin Films	$	75,409		$	56,780		$	208,888		$	182,013

	Solar Energy	67,490			60,735			185,536			156,947

	Total	$	142,899		$	117,515		$	394,424		$	338,960

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes by operating segment is as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Thin Films	$	18,150		$	6,065		$	40,067		$	18,113

	Solar Energy	192			7,410			(1,372		)	10,643

	Total segment operating income	18,342			13,475			38,695			28,756

	Corporate expenses	—			(534		)	—			(1,447		)

	Restructuring charges	(19,884		)	(3,003		)	(44,090		)	(5,434		)
	Other income (expense), net	164			65			(369		)	2,251

	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(1,378	)	$	10,003		$	(5,764	)	$	24,126

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Segment assets consist of inventories, net and property and equipment, net. A summary of consolidated total assets by segment follows (in thousands):


		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Thin Films	$	42,513		$	40,965

	Solar Energy	115,383			76,393

	Total segment assets	157,896			117,358

	Unallocated corporate property and equipment	1,603			3,647

	Unallocated corporate assets	468,180			417,155

	Consolidated total assets	$	627,679		$	538,160

Basis_of_Presentation_Narrativ

Basis of Presentation Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	StrategicBusinessUnits
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	2

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo2

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Components of total consideration transferred (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 08, 2012	Apr. 08, 2013
	Solvix [Member]	Solvix [Member]	Refusol [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash paid to owners	'	$16,673,494	$79,550,000
Contingent consideration	'	5,253,000	11,873,000
Purchase Price Working Capital Reduction	'	'	-2,340,000
Cash acquired	-680,000	'	-1,836,000
Total fair value of consideration transferred	'	$21,246,000	$87,247,000

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo3

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 08, 2012	Apr. 08, 2013	Nov. 08, 2012	Apr. 08, 2013	Nov. 08, 2012	Apr. 08, 2013	Nov. 08, 2012	Apr. 08, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Solvix [Member]	Refusol [Member]	Trademarks [Member]	Trademarks [Member]	Patented Technology [Member]	Patented Technology [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]
			Solvix [Member]	Refusol [Member]	Solvix [Member]	Refusol [Member]	Solvix [Member]	Refusol [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash	$680	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,074	10,705	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventories	57	17,477	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other receivables	32	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other current assets	46	7,028	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment	43	5,165	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other long-term assets	'	130	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	-390	-21,257	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	-186	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other accrued expenses	-159	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Customer deposits	-38	-23,664	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-1,628	-2,985	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net tangible assets	-469	-7,401	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets	8,227	10,500	106	1,300	2,723	5,700	5,398	3,500
Total identifiable net assets	7,758	3,099	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	13,488	84,148	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$21,246	$87,247	'	'	'	'	'	'

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo4

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Summary of intangible assets acquired, amortization method and useful lives (Details) (USD $)

Nov. 08, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 08, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 08, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 08, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Apr. 08, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Solvix [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Patented Technology [Member]

Customer Relationships - Other [Member]

Customer Relationships - Design [Member]

Solvix [Member]

Refusol [Member]

Solvix [Member]

Refusol [Member]

Solvix [Member]

Refusol [Member]

Solvix [Member]

Refusol [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Intangible assets acquired, amount

$8,227

$106

$1,300

$2,723

$5,700

$755

$3,500

$4,643

$10,500

Amortization method

'Straight-line

Useful life

'3 years 0 months

'1 year 6 months

'9 years 0 months

'5 years 0 months

'7 years 0 months

'5 years 0 months

'12 years 0 months

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo5

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Summary of pro forma results (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$687	$5,735	($2,269)	$15,732
Refusol [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	142,899	175,874	414,507	295,015
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	'	'	-3,100	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net income	'	$5,679	($6,975)	$9,433
Earnings per share, basic	$0.02	$0.15	($0.18)	$0.24
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.02	$0.14	($0.17)	$0.24

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo6

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Summary of results of discontinued operations (Details) (Gas Flow Control [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Gas Flow Control [Member]	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Sales	$8,959
Cost of sales	9,189
Gross profit (loss)	-230
Research and development	0
Selling, general, and administrative	88
Total operating expenses	88
Operating income (loss) from discontinued operations	-318
Other income	881
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	563
Provision for income taxes	133
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$430

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo7

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Narrative (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 08, 2012

Apr. 08, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 15, 2010

Solvix [Member]

Refusol [Member]

Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]

Gas Flow Control [Member]

Solvix [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses

$43,300,000

Sales

142,899,000

117,515,000

394,424,000

338,960,000

43,800,000

Total fair value of consideration transferred

21,246,000

87,247,000

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

75,374,000

16,000,000

75,400,000

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment

7,900,000

Contingent consideration

5,253,000

11,873,000

2,300,000

Contingent consideration

851,000

2,773,000

Entity Number of Employees

Business Acquisition, Revenue Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period

170,500,000

5,200,000

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent

687,000

5,735,000

-2,269,000

15,732,000

-3,100,000

Restructuring charges

19,884,000

3,003,000

44,090,000

5,434,000

3,700,000

Amortization of intangible assets

626,000

1,416,000

4,814,000

4,139,000

1,400,000

Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets

$1,900,000

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_tax_e

Income Taxes Schedule of tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	($1,378)	$10,003	($5,764)	$24,126
Provision for income taxes	($2,065)	$4,268	($3,495)	$8,824
Effective tax rate	149.90%	42.70%	60.60%	36.60%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	$4,900,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$4,700,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 15, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$25

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share Reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	$687	$5,735	($2,269)	$15,302
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	39,878	37,807	39,365	39,148
Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	699	523	785	572
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,577	38,330	40,150	39,720
Income from Continuing Operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.39
Diluted earnings per share	$0.02	$0.15	($0.06)	$0.39

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share Schedule of stock options and restricted units were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive (Details) (Stock options)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options and restricted units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	382	4,042	609	5,118

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	$12,277	$25,683
Cost	12,277	25,706
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	0	749
Cost	0	749
Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	12,277	12,498
Cost	12,277	12,498
Corporate Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	0	11,253
Cost	0	11,274
Municipal Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	0	285
Cost	0	285
Agency Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	0	898
Cost	$0	$900

Marketable_Securities_The_matu

Marketable Securities The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale (Details) (Certificates of Deposit [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Maturities of marketable securites, by date	8-Oct-13
Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Maturities of marketable securites, by date	17-Aug-15

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of foreign currency exchange contract	$36	$31.20	$36	$31.20
Foreign Exchange [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) recognized during the period	($1.30)	($0.90)	$0.60	($0.30)

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure2

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Schedule of financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	$12,277	$25,683
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	0	898
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	12,277	24,785
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	0	0
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	749
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	749
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	12,277	12,498
Certificates of Deposit [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	0	0
Certificates of Deposit [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	12,277	12,498
Certificates of Deposit [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	0	0
Corporate Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	11,253
Corporate Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Corporate Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	11,253
Corporate Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Municipal Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	285
Municipal Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Municipal Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	285
Municipal Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Agency Bonds/Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	898
Agency Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	898
Agency Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	0
Agency Bonds/Notes [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	'	$0

Inventories_Components_of_inve

Inventories Components of inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Parts and raw materials	$85,789,000	$59,484,000
Work in process	6,017,000	3,728,000
Finished goods	31,346,000	18,270,000
Inventory, Net	$123,152,000	$81,482,000

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment Details of property and equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$101,557	$99,224
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-65,209	-59,701
Property and equipment, net	36,348	39,523
Buildings and Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,776	1,794
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	42,681	40,993
Computer and Communication Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	24,169	22,895
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,370	1,845
Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	370	359
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	23,472	27,976
Construction in Process [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$4,719	$3,362

Property_and_Equipment_Depreci

Property and Equipment Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$3,269	$3,075	$9,673	$8,970

Goodwill_Schedule_of_the_chang

Goodwill Schedule of the changes in goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	$60,391
Additions and adjustments	84,148
Translation adjustments	3,893
Gross carrying amount, end of period	$148,432

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_

Intangible Assets Schedule of other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$68,883	$58,371
Effects of changes in exchange rates	709	250
Impairment	-31,872	'
Accumulated amortization	-17,226	-12,412
Net carrying amount	20,494	46,209
Technology-based [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	50,368	44,668
Effects of changes in exchange rates	323	83
Impairment	-26,167	'
Accumulated amortization	-14,006	-10,775
Net carrying amount	10,518	33,976
Weighted-average useful life, in years	'4 years 0 months	'7 years
Trademarks and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	18,515	13,703
Effects of changes in exchange rates	386	167
Impairment	-5,705	'
Accumulated amortization	-3,220	-1,637
Net carrying amount	$9,976	$12,233
Weighted-average useful life, in years	'7 years	'9 years

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_1

Intangible Assets Schedule of amortization expense relating to other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	($626)	($1,416)	($4,814)	($4,139)

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_2

Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2013 (remaining)	$1,322	'
2014	5,062	'
2015	3,979	'
2016	2,744	'
2017	2,744	'
Thereafter	4,643	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$20,494	$46,209

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'
Current deferred tax liability	$4,139		$4,137
Accrued restructuring costs	3,445		1,853
Contingent consideration	851		2,773
Accrued sales and use tax	3,597		1,010
Other	9,914	[1]	5,626	[1]
Total Other accrued expenses	$21,946		$15,399

[1]	Other accrued expenses consisted of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Restructur

Restructuring Costs Restructuring cost expensed table (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

2013 Plan

2011 Plan

Employee Severance [Member]

Property and Equipment Impairments [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

2013 Plan

2011 Plan

2013 Plan

2011 Plan

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Beginning balance

$1,853

$1,345

$508

Cost paid or otherwise settled

41,154

1,263

3,417

1,137

36,219

1,518

126

Effect of change in exchange rates

-81

-100

Ending balance

2,855

590

2,494

208

361

382

Severance and related costs

1,590

4,420

6,010

Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments

18,475

17,744

36,219

Facility closure costs

-181

2,042

1,861

Total restructuring charges

$19,884

$3,003

$44,090

$5,434

$19,884

$24,206

$44,090

$6,011

$36,219

$1,860

Restructuring_Costs_Details

Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
2013 Plan	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	$18,475,000	$17,744,000	$36,219,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	44,900,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	44,600,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	'	'	500,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	31,900,000
Space Consolidation [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	6,500,000
Space Consolidation [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	6,200,000
Employee Severance [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	6,800,000
Employee Severance [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring And Related Costs Incured And Expected Cost	'	'	$6,500,000

Restructuring_Costs_Total_Rest

Restructuring Costs Total Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	2013 Plan	2013 Plan	2013 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Severance and related costs	'	'	'	'	$1,590	$4,420	$6,010
Property and equipment and intangible asset impairments	'	'	'	'	18,475	17,744	36,219
Facility closure costs	'	'	'	'	-181	2,042	1,861
Restructuring Charges	$19,884	$3,003	$44,090	$5,434	$19,884	$24,206	$44,090

Warranties_Narrative_Details

Warranties Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Thin Films [Member]	Thin Films [Member]	Solar Energy [Member]	Solar Energy [Member]	Solar Energy [Member]	Customer Deposits Member [Member]	Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]
			Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]		Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Standard Product Warranty Term	'	'	'18 months	'24 months	'	'5 years	'10 years	'	'
Extended Product Warranty Term	'	'	'	'	'20 years	'	'	'	'
Deferred Revenue Related To Extended Warranty Contracts	$24.90	$20.50	'	'	'	'	'	$0.40	$20.10

Warranties_Changes_in_accrued_

Warranties Changes in accrued product warranties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balances at beginning of period	$20,419	$14,057	$14,797	$14,719
Warranty liabilities acquired	0	0	10,678	0
Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	2,404	2,650	8,108	6,350
Warranty expenditures	-4,687	-1,832	-15,447	-6,194
Balances at end of period	$18,136	$14,875	$18,136	$14,875

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free rate	0.74%	1.20%
Option contractual term	'	'10 years
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting term, in years	'	'4 years
Performance Options and Awards [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Vesting term, in years	'	'3 years
LTI Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected volatility rate	68.90%	61.50%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected term, in years	'5 years 7 months	'5 years 7 months
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options, in dollars per share	10.55	6.19
Weighted average grant date fair value, in dollars per share	17.92	11.03

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation Schedule of stock-based compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$4,106	$2,835	$9,310	$10,072

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of stock option activity (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Options outstanding at December 31, 2011	5,659
Options granted	43
Options exercised	-1,624
Options forfeited	-728
Options expired	-122
Options outstanding at June 30, 2012	3,228

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of non-vested Restricted Stock Units activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units [Member])	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December, 2012 (in shares)	2,073
RSUs granted (in shares)	379
RSUs vested (in shares)	-434
RSUs forfeited (in shares)	-290
Balance at June 30, 2013 (in shares)	1,728

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	$29,725
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,840
Balance at June 30. 2013	31,565
Foreign Currency Adjustments [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	29,730
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,852
Balance at June 30. 2013	31,582
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	-5
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-12
Balance at June 30. 2013	($17)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Firm purchase commitments and agreements	$59.40

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Management [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	Companies	Companies	NumberCustomers
Management [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related party transactions, number of companies	2	2	'
Accounts receivable, related pary transactions, number of companys	'	'	1
Accounts receivable, related parties, current	'	'	$0
Rent due to related parties	'	'	$2

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions Schedule of related party transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales - related parties	$20	$102	$635	$579
Rent expense - related parties	$465	$466	$1,407	$1,403

Segment_Information_Sales_with

Segment Information Sales with respect to operating segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$142,899	$117,515	$394,424	$338,960
Thin Films [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	75,409	56,780	208,888	182,013
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$67,490	$60,735	$185,536	$156,947

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information Schedule of income from continuing operations before income taxes by operating segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	($1,542)	$9,938	($5,395)	$21,875
Operating Expenses	-57,753	-35,789	-156,704	-107,325
Restructuring charges	-19,884	-3,003	-44,090	-5,434
Other income (expense), net	164	65	-369	2,251
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-1,378	10,003	-5,764	24,126
Thin Films [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	18,150	6,065	40,067	18,113
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	192	7,410	-1,372	10,643
Thin Films and Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	18,342	13,475	38,695	28,756
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Expenses	$0	($534)	$0	($1,447)

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information Summary of consolidated total assets by segment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$627,679	$538,160
Thin Films [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	42,513	40,965
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	115,383	76,393
Unallocated Corporate Propert and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	1,603	3,647
Unallocated Corporate Assets [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	468,180	417,155
Consolidated Assets [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	627,679	538,160
Inventories and Property and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$157,896	$117,358

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information Narrative (Details) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] \| Applied Materials, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$23.50	$14.10	$65	$49.80
Concentration Risk, Percentage	16.90%	12.00%	16.50%	14.70%
Minimum [Member] \| Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	'	'	10.00%	'

Credit_Facility_Details

Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank_Refusol Credit Facility [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Domain]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Domain]

Base Rate [Domain]

Surety Segment [Member]

Bank Overdrafts [Member]

Surety Segment [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$8,000,000

$1,500,000

$50,000,000

$4,000,000

Line Of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity

25,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

75,000,000

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

12-Oct-17

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

2.00%

0.25%

1.00%

1.50%

2.00%

0.50%

1.00%

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

4.25%

1.25%

4.50%

5.32%

1.50%

Line of Credit, Credit Commission

0.50%

Monthly Collateral Management Fee

2,500

Interest Expense

$200,000

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.25%

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.13%