Note 18 - Operating Risk and Geographical Information (Detail) - Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Concentration Benchmark	$ 99,956		$ 139,767	[1],[2]
Related Party Sales, Including North Palm Springs Investments LLC [Member] | Total Net Revenue [Member]
Concentration Benchmark	35,539	[3]	31,470	[2],[3]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	36.00%	[3]	23.00%	[2],[3]
Related Party Sales, Including North Palm Springs Investments LLC [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	11.00%	[3]	23.00%	[2],[3]
Concentration Benchmark	11,858	[3]	24,944	[2],[3]
KDC Solar Credi tLS LLC [Member] | Total Net Revenue [Member]
Concentration Benchmark	26,010		59,336	[2]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	26.00%		42.00%	[2]
KDC Solar Credi tLS LLC [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	39.00%		41.00%	[2]
Concentration Benchmark	39,993		43,735	[2]
Taneo Fund Management Company [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	16.00%
Concentration Benchmark	16,078			[2]
Total Net Revenue [Member]
Concentration Benchmark	61,549		90,806	[2]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	62.00%		65.00%	[2]
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	66.00%		65.00%	[2]
Concentration Benchmark	$ 67,929		$ 68,679	[2]

[1] As recast to reflect the balances of Solar Green Technology S.p.A. ("SGT") beginning January 1, 2011 combined with the balances of Solar Power, Inc. beginning March 31, 2011, as required under the accounting guidelines for a transfer of an entity under common control (refer to Note 5 -Acquisition of Solar Green Technology ).

[2] As adjusted to reflect the balances of SGT beginning January 1, 2011 combined with the balances of Solar Power, Inc. beginning March 31, 2011, as required under the accounting guidelines for a transfer of an entity under common control (refer to Note 5 -Acquisition of Solar Green Technology).

[3] North Palm Springs Investments, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of LDK Solar USA, Inc.