2.2.0.25falsefalse2412402 - Disclosure - Note 7. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details)truefalseIn Thousandsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 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$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $I2010Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$4true0fslr_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsLineItemsfslrfalsenadurationRestricted cash and investments line items.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRestricted cash and investments line items.falsefalseRestricted Cash And Investments [Line Items]5false0fslr_SolarModuleCollectionAndRecyclingCustodialAccountfslrfalsenadurationDescribes the timing to fund the Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability custodial account after year-end for the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse0060 days60 daysfalsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescribes the timing to fund the Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability custodial account after year-end for the prior year module sales.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSolar Module Collection And Recycling Custodial Account Funding Timing6false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse236000236falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1900019falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRestricted cash7false0us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesRestrictedNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse147471000147471falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8598400085984falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity, (2) trading securities, and (3) securities available-for-sale which are intended to be held for greater than one year or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer and that are pledged to one or more secured parties who have the right to buy, sell, or re-pledge the collateral.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 6 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph b -Article 4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Subsection I falsefalseRestricted investments8false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse147707000147707falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8600300086003falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe noncurrent cash, cash equivalents and investments that is restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits classified as long-term; that is not expected to be released from such existing restrictions within one year of the balance sheet date or operating cycle, whichever is longer. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes noncurrent cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal restricted cash and investments - noncurrent9false0fslr_ProductMinimumServiceLifefslrfalsenadurationDescribes the solar modules minimum service life.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse0025 years25 yearsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescribes the solar modules minimum service life.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSolar module minimum service life for purposes of collection and recycling custodial account26Note 7. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue