Number of warrants that have been exercised to date.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfWarrantsExercisedToDate
Namespace Prefix:	plug_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482662/260-10-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of the financial instrument(s) that the original debt is being converted into in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-3

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of shares issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482949/835-30-55-8

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69C
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482900/835-30-50-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22)(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(01)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(01)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=plug_ThreePointSevenFivePercentOfConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=plug_SevenPercentConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_AmazonTransactionAgreement2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_WarrantIssuedWithAmazon.comIncTransactionAgreementInApril2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_WarrantIssuedWithWalmartStoresIncTransactionAgreementInJuly2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=plug_WarrantIssuedWithGinerIncEarnOutSettlementAgreementInMay2024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Earnings Per Share - Dilutive Potential Common Shares (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 12, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	May 31, 2024	Mar. 21, 2024	Mar. 20, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Aug. 24, 2022	May 31, 2020	May 29, 2020	May 18, 2020	Jul. 20, 2017	Apr. 04, 2017
Earnings Per Share
Number of dilutive potential shares of common stock					175,347,759	157,083,252
Options granted			7,107,625	6,782,043	7,420,625	6,876,593
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)							3,461,371
Interest rate (as a percent)			7.00%		7.00%
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes
Earnings Per Share
Amount of debt converted	$ 138,800,000	$ 138,800,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.75%	3.75%	3.75%		3.75%			3.75%	3.75%		3.75%		3.75%	3.75%	3.75%
Principal amount			$ 58,462,000		$ 58,462,000			$ 58,500,000		$ 197,278,000			$ 212,500,000	$ 12,500,000	$ 200,000,000.0
Conversion of notes through common stock issuance (in shares)			0	0	0	0
7.0% Convertible Senior Note
Earnings Per Share
Amount of debt converted			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%		7.00%				7.00%
Principal amount	$ 140,400,000	$ 140,400,000	$ 140,396,000		$ 140,396,000				$ 140,400,000
Restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding
Earnings Per Share
Number of restricted shares granted during period					1,054,057
2022 Amazon transaction agreement
Earnings Per Share
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)												16,000,000
Number of warrants exercised to date			0	0	0	0
2017 Amazon Transaction Agreement
Earnings Per Share
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)																	55,286,696
Number of warrants exercised to date			34,917,912	34,917,912	34,917,912	34,917,912
Warrants issued with the Walmart Stores, Inc transaction agreement
Earnings Per Share
Shares of common stock that can be purchased from warrants issued (in shares)																55,286,696
Number of warrants exercised to date			13,094,217	13,094,217	13,094,217	13,094,217
Warrant issued with Giner Inc earn out settlement agreement
Earnings Per Share
Number of warrants exercised to date			0		0
Employee Stock Option
Earnings Per Share
Number of dilutive potential shares of common stock					42,380,705	33,821,392
Restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding
Earnings Per Share
Number of dilutive potential shares of common stock					6,282,815	5,529,831
Number of restricted shares granted during period			1,037,057	294,143	1,054,057	388,693
Common stock warrants
Earnings Per Share
Number of dilutive potential shares of common stock					82,022,634	78,561,263
Convertible Senior Notes
Earnings Per Share
Number of dilutive potential shares of common stock					44,661,605	39,170,766