Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenues	$ 942	$ 4,402	$ 7,618	$ 12,217
Gross profit (loss)	524	1,823	2,937	4,734
Net income (loss)	590	(2,633)	(93)	(8,743)
Net loss attributable to acorn energy inc.	652	(2,756)	113	(8,674)
GridSense [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Revenues	5	374	212	1,984
Gross profit (loss)	5	(392)	28	(119)
Net income (loss)	$ 1,187	(1,584)	$ (423)	(3,478)
U.S. Seismic Systems, Inc [Member] \| Discontinued Operations [Member]
Revenues		84		163
Gross profit (loss)		18		(68)
Net income (loss)		609		(772)
Loss on deconsolidation		(401)		(401)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(78)		98
Net loss attributable to acorn energy inc.		$ 130		$ (1,075)

The amount of the gain (loss) recognized by the parent and included in its attributable portion of net income for the period due to deconsolidation of a subsidiary or derecognition of a group of assets. The gain (loss) recognized and included in the net income attributable to the parent for the period is generally computed as the difference between: (a) the aggregate of: (1) the fair value of any consideration received; (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated; and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary (including any accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest) at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated and (b) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary's assets and liabilities.

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