| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 104 - Disclosure - Note 20 - Business Segments - Long Lived Assets (Details) (http://www.ormat.com/20161231/role/statement-note-20-business-segments-long-lived-assets-details) |
| Table | Statement [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001296445 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Scenario [Axis] | Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] |
| Statement [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | 2014-12-31 | ||||||||||
| Geographical [Axis] | Geographical [Axis] | Geographical [Axis] | ||||||||||
| UNITED STATES | KENYA | Other Foreign Countries [Member] | Geographical [Domain] | UNITED STATES | KENYA | Other Foreign Countries [Member] | Geographical [Domain] | UNITED STATES | KENYA | Other Foreign Countries [Member] | Geographical [Domain] | |
Long Lived Assets, Geographic Area | ||||||||||||