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Accounts Receivable
 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]  
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable at April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011 consisted of the following:
 
 
April 30,
2012

 
October 31,
2011

U.S. Government:
 
 
 
Amount billed
$
135

 
$
52

Unbilled recoverable costs
1,222

 
1,012

 
1,357

 
1,064

Commercial Customers:
 
 
 
Amount billed
12,835

 
10,330

Unbilled recoverable costs
2,844

 
10,556

 
15,679

 
20,886

 
$
17,036

 
$
21,950


We bill customers for power plant and module sales based on certain milestones being reached. We bill the U.S. government for research and development contracts based on actual recoverable costs incurred, typically in the month subsequent to incurring costs. Included in Commercial Customers accounts receivable are amounts due from POSCO of $8.9 million and $7.1 million at April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively. Unbilled recoverable costs relate to revenue recognized on customer contracts that have not been billed. Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.5 million and $0.6 million at April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively.