2.2.0.25truefalse2410403 - Disclosure - Note 6. Cash, Marketable Securities, and Investments (Details) - Available For Saletruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 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/instancesharesxbrli0USD_to_EURDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]3false0fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNetUnrealizedGainsLossesfslrfalsecreditdurationThe increases (decreases) in the market value of unsold securities whose gains (losses) were included in earnings.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse800000800000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse900000900000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe increases (decreases) in the market value of unsold securities whose gains (losses) were included in earnings.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, net unrealized gains (losses)4true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseMarketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:5false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse8086500080865000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9538800095388000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value6false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse130000130000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse264000264000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses7false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value8false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, gross unrealized losses9false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse8086500080865000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9538800095388000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, estimated fair value10false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse130000130000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse264000264000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, gross unrealized losses11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Certificates of Deposit [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCertificates of Deposit [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCertificates of Deposit [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]12true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]13false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse20010002001000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost14false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains15false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses16false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse20010002001000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Commercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CommercialPaperNotIncludedWithCashAndCashEquivalentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialPaperNotIncludedWithCashAndCashEquivalentsMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Commercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CommercialPaperNotIncludedWithCashAndCashEquivalentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialPaperNotIncludedWithCashAndCashEquivalentsMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCommercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]19true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]20false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse56970005697000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1334000013340000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost21false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10001000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30003000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains22false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses23false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse56980005698000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1334300013343000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value25false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Corporate Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Corporate Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]26true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]27false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse155077000155077000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9814800098148000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost28false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse472000472000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse592000592000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains29false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse113000113000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse138000138000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses30false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse155436000155436000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9860200098602000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value32false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUS Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUS Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUS Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]33true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]34false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4833100048331000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4585800045858000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost35false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3500035000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2100021000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains36false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30003000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40004000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses37false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4836300048363000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4587500045875000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value39false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Agency Debt [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Agency Debt [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]40true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]41false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse9194900091949000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse132860000132860000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost42false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse316000316000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse425000425000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains43false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400014000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse120000120000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses44false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse9225100092251000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse133165000133165000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value46false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Government Obligations [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Government Obligations [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseForeign Government Obligations [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]47true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]48false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse90900009090000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse91370009137000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost49false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse60006000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse80008000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains50false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20002000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses51false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse90960009096000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse91430009143000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value53false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Supranational Debt [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_SupranationalDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseSupranational Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_SupranationalDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Supranational Debt [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_SupranationalDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseSupranational Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_SupranationalDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSupranational Debt [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]54true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]55false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4413100044131000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4791700047917000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost56false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5000050000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse115000115000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains57false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses58false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4418100044181000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4803200048032000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value60false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : US Government Debt Securities [Member] {fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_USGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUS Government Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUS Government Debt Securities [Member] | Unrestricted Investments [Member]61true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]62false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse201000201000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost63false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains64false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses65false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse201000201000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value67false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]68true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]69false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse356477000356477000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse347260000347260000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost70false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse880000880000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11640001164000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains71false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse130000130000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse264000264000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses72false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse357227000357227000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse348160000348160000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value74false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member] | Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year [Member]75true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]76false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse199292000199292000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse167499000167499000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost77false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse498000498000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse398000398000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains78false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse50005000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse80008000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses79false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse199785000199785000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse167889000167889000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value81false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over One Year To Two Years [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverOneYearToTwoYearsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over One Year To Two Years [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverOneYearToTwoYearsMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$22falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over One Year To Two Years [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverOneYearToTwoYearsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over One Year To Two Years [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverOneYearToTwoYearsMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member] | Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over One Year To Two Years [Member]82true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]83false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse156171000156171000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse177268000177268000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost84false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse382000382000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse759000759000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains85false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse125000125000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse256000256000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses86false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse156428000156428000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse177771000177771000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value88false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over Two Years To Three Years [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverTwoYearsToThreeYearsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over Two Years To Three Years [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverTwoYearsToThreeYearsMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$24falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Unrestricted Investments [Member] {fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis} : Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over Two Years To Three Years [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMember_fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxis_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverTwoYearsToThreeYearsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_UnrestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAvailable For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over Two Years To Three Years [Member]fslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesOverTwoYearsToThreeYearsMemberfslr_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesContractualMaturitiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUnrestricted Investments [Member] | Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Over Two Years To Three Years [Member]89true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]90false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10140001014000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse24930002493000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost91false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse70007000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains92false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses93false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10140001014000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse25000002500000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value95false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Restricted Investments [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_RestrictedInvestmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_RestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis} : Restricted Investments [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_fslr_RestrictedInvestmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Investments [Member]fslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_RestrictedInvestmentsMemberfslr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRestricted Investments [Member]96true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseSchedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]97false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse149143000149143000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7938800079388000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, amortized cost98false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse23770002377000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse66680006668000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their carrying value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized gains are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain of an available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains99false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40490004049000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7200072000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Such gross unrealized losses are included in other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity, unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 19 falsefalseAvailable-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses100false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse147471000147471000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8598400085984000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalseAvailable-for-sale Securities, estimated fair value102false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Corporate Debt Securities [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Corporate Debt Securities [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCorporate Debt Securities [Member]104true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseMarketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:105false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5586800055868000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3301800033018000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value106false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse113000113000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse138000138000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses107false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value108false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, gross unrealized losses109false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5586800055868000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3301800033018000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, estimated fair value110false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse113000113000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse138000138000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, gross unrealized losses111false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse29falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseFederal Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$30falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFederal Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseFederal Agency Debt [Member]113true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseMarketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:114false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse26120002612000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1172100011721000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value115false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30003000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40004000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses116false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value117false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, gross unrealized losses118false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse26120002612000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1172100011721000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, estimated fair value119false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30003000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40004000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, gross unrealized losses120false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse31falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Agency Debt [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $D2011Q1_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$32falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Agency Debt [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_invest_InvestmentAxis_fslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_ForeignAgencyDebtMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseForeign Agency Debt [Member]122true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseMarketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:123false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2238500022385000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4613400046134000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value124false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400014000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse120000120000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses125false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value126false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, gross unrealized losses127false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2238500022385000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4613400046134000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, estimated fair value128false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400014000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse120000120000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, gross unrealized losses129false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.firstsolar.com/role/note6.cashmarketablesecuritiesandinvestmentsdetailsavailableforsale1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse33falsefalseUSDtruefalse{invest_InvestmentAxis} : Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] 12/27/2009 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010Q4YTD_invest_InvestmentAxis_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Government Obligations [Member]invest_InvestmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMemberinvest_InvestmentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseForeign Government Obligations [Member]131true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseMarketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:132false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse45150004515000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value133false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20002000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, gross unrealized losses134false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value135false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, gross unrealized losses136false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse45150004515000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, estimated fair value137false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20002000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalseMarketable securities, in loss position, gross unrealized losses2119Note 6. Cash, Marketable Securities, and Investments (Details) - Available For Sale (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue