2.2.0.25falsefalse2122100 - Disclosure - Note 11. Economic Development Fundingtruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0fslr_EconomicDevelopmentFundingAbstractfslrfalsenadurationNote 11. Economic Development Funding [Abstract]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNote 11. Economic Development Funding [Abstract]falsefalseEconomic Development Funding [Abstract]3false0us-gaap_LoansNotesTradeAndOtherReceivablesDisclosureTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;">11. Economic Development Funding </div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"> </div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;">On February 11, 2011 we were approved to receive taxable investment incentives ("Investitionszuschüsse") of approximately €6.3 million ($8.9 million at the balance sheet close rate on March 31, 2011 of $1.41/€1.00) from the State of Brandenburg, Germany. These funds will reimburse us for certain costs incurred related to the expansion of our manufacturing plant in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany, including costs for the construction of buildings and the purchase of machinery and equipment. Receipt of these incentives is conditional upon the State of Brandenburg having sufficient funds allocated to this program to pay the reimbursements we claim. Based on several factors, including the fiscal budget and credit rating of the State of Brandenburg among others, we believe that there is reasonable assurance that we will receive these grants. In addition, we are required to operate our facility for a minimum of five years and employ a specified number of associates during this period. We expect to meet these conditions based on our operating plans and current commitments. Our incentive approval expires on December 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2011 we had accrued €3.1 million ($4.4 million at the balance sheet close rate on March 31, 2011 of $1.41/€1.00) that we are eligible to receive under this program based on qualifying expenditures that we had incurred through that date.</div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"> </div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;">We are also eligible to recover up to approximately €17.2 million ($24.3 million at the balance sheet close rate on March 31, 2011 of $1.41/€1.00) of expenditures related to the construction of our plant in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany under the German Investment Grant Act of 2010 ("Investitionszulagen"). This Act permits us to claim tax-exempt reimbursements for certain costs that we will incur related to the expansion of our manufacturing plant in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany, including costs for the construction of buildings and the purchase of machinery and equipment. Tangible assets subsidized under this program have to remain in the region for at least five years. We expect to meet these conditions based on our operating plans and current commitments. As of March 31, 2011, we had accrued €8.6 million ($12.1 million at the balance sheet close rate on March 31, 2011 of $1.41/€1.00) that we are eligible to receive under this program based on qualifying expenditures that we had incurred through that date.</div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"> </div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:24px;font-size:10pt;">We account for these grants as a deduction to the carrying value of the fixed assets they fund when there is reasonable assurance that we comply with the conditions attached to the grants and the grants will be received. </div></div>11. Economic Development Funding  On February 11, 2011 we were approved to receive taxable investment incentives ("Investitionszuschüsse") offalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringIncludes disclosure of claims held for amounts due a company. Examples include trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph k -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3, 4 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 9 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph d falsefalseEconomic development funding [Text Block]12Note 11. Economic Development FundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue