Subsequent events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent to year-end, we commenced the first phase of our project to expand the existing 65,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Torrington, Connecticut by approximately 102,000 square feet for a total size of 167,000 square feet. Initially, this additional space will be used to enhance and streamline logistics functions through consolidation of satellite warehouse locations and will provide the space needed to reconfigure the existing production process to improve manufacturing efficiencies and realize cost savings. On November 9, 2015, the Company closed on a definitive Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut and received a disbursement of $10 million to be used for the first phase of the expansion project. In conjunction with this financing, the Company entered into a $10 million Promissory Note and related security agreements securing the loan with equipment liens and a mortgage on its Danbury, Connecticut location. Pursuant to the terms of the loan, payment of principal is deferred for the first four years. Interest at a fixed rate of 2.0% is payable beginning December 2015. The financing is payable over 15 years, and is predicated on certain terms and conditions, including the forgiveness of up to half of the loan principal if certain job retention and job creation targets are reached. In addition, the Company will receive up to $10 million of tax credits earned during the first phase of the expansion. The second phase of our manufacturing expansion, for which we will be eligible to receive an additional $10 million in low-cost financing from the State of Connecticut, will commence as demand supports. This includes adding manufacturing equipment to increase annual capacity from the current 100 megawatts to at least 200 megawatts. Plans for this phase also include the installation of a megawatt scale tri-generation fuel cell plant to power and heat the facility as well as provide hydrogen for the manufacturing process of the fuel cell components, and the creation of an Advanced Technology Center for technology testing and prototype manufacturing. In addition, the final stage of the fuel cell module manufacturing will be relocated to the Torrington facility from its current location at the Danbury, Connecticut headquarters, which will reduce logistics costs. The first phase of the expansion is expected to result in expenditures of up to $23 million that will be partially off-set by the $10 million of first phase funding received from the State of Connecticut. The total investment for both phases of the expansion could be up to $65 million over a five year period, of which $20 million will be funded by low cost financing from the State of Connecticut. Revolving Credit Facility The Company's revolving credit facility with JPMorgan referenced in Note 10 expired on November 28, 2015 in conjunction with the Export-Import Bank charter expiration. The outstanding balance was paid back subsequent to year-end on November 24, 2015. The Export-Import Bank Charter has subsequently been renewed by the U.S. Government and the Company is working with JPMorgan on reinstating the facility during fiscal 2016. Sale Leaseback Tax Equity Facility In December 2015 the Company entered into a sale leaseback tax equity facility with PNC Energy Capital, LLC. (“PNC”) Under this facility, the Company’s project finance subsidiaries may enter into up to $30 million of lease agreements for projects currently under development. The first project to close under the facility on December 23, 2015 was a sale leaseback of the UCI Fuel Cell, LLC power plant which entered into commercial operations in December 2015. Proceeds from PNC totaled approximately $8.8 million and were partially used to settle outstanding construction period debt to NRG referenced under Note 8 to the financial statements. The Company and its project finance subsidiaries will establish reserves for up to $10.0 million to support obligations of the power purchase and service agreements. Such reserves will be classified as restricted cash on the Consolidated Financial Statements and released over time based on project performance. Under the terms of the terms of the sale lease back transactions we make fixed monthly payments to PNC for a period of 10 years and have the option of repurchasing the plants at the end of the term. While we receive financing for the full value of the power plant asset, we do not expect to recognize revenue on the sale leaseback transaction. Instead, revenue is recognized through the sale of electricity and energy credits which are generated as energy is produced.

Subsequent to year-end, we commenced the first phase of our project to expand the existing 65,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Torrington, Connecticut by approximately 102,000 square feet for a total size of 167,000 square feet. Initially, this additional space will be used to enhance and streamline logistics functions through consolidation of satellite warehouse locations and will provide the space needed to reconfigure the existing production process to improve manufacturing efficiencies and realize cost savings.

On November 9, 2015, the Company closed on a definitive Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut and received a disbursement of $10 million to be used for the first phase of the expansion project. In conjunction with this financing, the Company entered into a $10 million Promissory Note and related security agreements securing the loan with equipment liens and a mortgage on its Danbury, Connecticut location. Pursuant to the terms of the loan, payment of principal is deferred for the first four years. Interest at a fixed rate of 2.0% is payable beginning December 2015. The financing is payable over 15 years, and is predicated on certain terms and conditions, including the forgiveness of up to half of the loan principal if certain job retention and job creation targets are reached. In addition, the Company will receive up to $10 million of tax credits earned during the first phase of the expansion.

The second phase of our manufacturing expansion, for which we will be eligible to receive an additional $10 million in low-cost financing from the State of Connecticut, will commence as demand supports. This includes adding manufacturing equipment to increase annual capacity from the current 100 megawatts to at least 200 megawatts. Plans for this phase also include the installation of a megawatt scale tri-generation fuel cell plant to power and heat the facility as well as provide hydrogen for the manufacturing process of the fuel cell components, and the creation of an Advanced Technology Center for technology testing and prototype manufacturing. In addition, the final stage of the fuel cell module manufacturing will be relocated to the Torrington facility from its current location at the Danbury, Connecticut headquarters, which will reduce logistics costs.

The first phase of the expansion is expected to result in expenditures of up to $23 million that will be partially off-set by the $10 million of first phase funding received from the State of Connecticut. The total investment for both phases of the expansion could be up to $65 million over a five year period, of which $20 million will be funded by low cost financing from the State of Connecticut.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company's revolving credit facility with JPMorgan referenced in Note 10 expired on November 28, 2015 in conjunction with the Export-Import Bank charter expiration. The outstanding balance was paid back subsequent to year-end on November 24, 2015. The Export-Import Bank Charter has subsequently been renewed by the U.S. Government and the Company is working with JPMorgan on reinstating the facility during fiscal 2016.

Sale Leaseback Tax Equity Facility

In December 2015 the Company entered into a sale leaseback tax equity facility with PNC Energy Capital, LLC. (“PNC”) Under this facility, the Company’s project finance subsidiaries may enter into up to $30 million of lease agreements for projects currently under development. The first project to close under the facility on December 23, 2015 was a sale leaseback of the UCI Fuel Cell, LLC power plant which entered into commercial operations in December 2015. Proceeds from PNC totaled approximately $8.8 million and were partially used to settle outstanding construction period debt to NRG referenced under Note 8 to the financial statements. The Company and its project finance subsidiaries will establish reserves for up to $10.0 million to support obligations of the power purchase and service agreements. Such reserves will be classified as restricted cash on the Consolidated Financial Statements and released over time based on project performance. Under the terms of the terms of the sale lease back transactions we make fixed monthly payments to PNC for a period of 10 years and have the option of repurchasing the plants at the end of the term. While we receive financing for the full value of the power plant asset, we do not expect to recognize revenue on the sale leaseback transaction. Instead, revenue is recognized through the sale of electricity and energy credits which are generated as energy is produced.