Legal Matters (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
Legal Matters (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2011 FuelCell Arbitration	Feb. 28, 2011 FuelCell Arbitration	Dec. 31, 2011 FuelCell Arbitration	Oct. 27, 2011 FuelCell Arbitration	Aug. 31, 2011 SynQor, Inc.	Jun. 30, 2012 SynQor, Inc. item	Jun. 30, 2012 SynQor, Inc. item	Dec. 31, 2011 SynQor, Inc.	Jul. 31, 2011 Purported class action litigation for violation of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 item
Legal matters
Accrued loss for legal proceedings			$ 700,000			$ 100,000	$ 300,000	$ 500,000
Damages sought value		2,800,000			5,000,000
Considerations paid	225,000
Guaranteed discounts on future purchases				160,000
Number of purported securities class action complaints filed									2
Settlement amount for payment by the entity						$ 800,000	$ 800,000
Number of monthly installments in which settlement amount to be paid						12	12

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

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+ Details

SATCON TECHNOLOGY CORP 10-Q/A