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amounts due for services rendered or to be rendered, actions taken or to be taken, or a promise to refrain from taking certain actions in accordance with the terms of a legally binding agreement between the entity and, at a minimum, one other party. An example would be amounts associated with contracts or programs where the recognized revenue for performance thereunder exceeds the amounts billed under the terms thereof as of the date of the balance sheet.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph c(3) -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 11 -Section A -Paragraph 4, 21 falsefalseUnbilled contracts receivable10true0fslr_SolarModuleRebatesAbstractfslrfalsenadurationDetails solar module rebate program.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDetails solar module rebate program.falsefalseSolar Module Rebates [Abstract]11false0fslr_RevenueRebateParticipationRatefslrfalsenainstantParticipation rate for a revenue rebate program.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truetruefalse0.920.92falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truetruefalse0.920.92falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureParticipation rate for a revenue rebate program.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRevenue rebate participation rate12false0fslr_SalesProductRevenueRebatesIssuedfslrfalsedebitdurationSales Product Revenue Rebates Issued.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse1480000014800000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse1070000010700000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse2780000027800000falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse2000000020000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySales Product Revenue Rebates Issued.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSales product revenue rebates issued13false0fslr_AverageExchangeRateRatiofslrfalsenadurationThe average exchange ratio over the duration of reporting period.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse1.381.38falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse1.381.38falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse1.391.39falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse1.391.39falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseExchangeRatexbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe average exchange ratio over the duration of reporting period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAverage exchange rate ratio14false0fslr_SalesProductRevenueRebatesAccruedfslrfalsecreditinstantSales product or service revenue rebates accrued.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse2500000025000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse1770000017700000falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySales product or service revenue rebates accrued.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSales product revenue rebates accrued15false0fslr_ExchangeRateRatiofslrfalsenainstantThe exchange ratio as of the date.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseExchangeRatexbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe exchange ratio as of the date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExchange rate ratio16true0us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseInventories:17false0us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse175212000175212000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse162190000162190000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unprocessed items to be consumed in the manufacturing or production process. Also includes purchased parts that will be used as components of a finished product.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 falsefalseRaw materials18false0us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcessus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2746600027466000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2152800021528000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods which are partially completed, are generally comprised of raw materials, labor and factory overhead costs, and which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods, and which generally require the use of estimates to determine percentage complete and pricing.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 falsefalseWork in process19false0us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse9914400099144000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5487300054873000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 falsefalseFinished goods20false0fslr_InventoryCurrentNoncurrentNetfslrfalsedebitinstantTotal inventories current and noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse301822000301822000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse238591000238591000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal inventories current and noncurrent.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal inventories21false0us-gaap_InventoryNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse271215000271215000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse195863000195863000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).No authoritative reference available.falsefalseInventory - current22false0us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3060700030607000[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4272800042728000[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryInventories not expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within the normal operating cycle.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 4, 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph d -Article 5 falsefalseInventories - noncurrent23true0fslr_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsAbstractfslrfalsenadurationPrepaid expenses and other current assets.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringPrepaid expenses and other current assets.falsefalsePrepaid expenses and other current assets:24false0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5630800056308000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4601600046016000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 4 falsefalsePrepaid expenses25false0fslr_DeferredProjectCostsCurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantDeferred project costs, current portion.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse44850004485000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1444600014446000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryDeferred project costs, current portion.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDeferred project costs26false0us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse59140005914000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2098600020986000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair values as of the balance sheet date for all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments and which are expected to be converted into cash or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 10 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B falsefalseDerivative instruments27false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse111124000111124000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6158500061585000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 falsefalseOther current assets28false0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse177831000177831000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse143033000143033000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying amount for an unclassified balance sheet date of expenditures made in advance of when the economic benefit of the cost will be realized, and which will be expensed in future periods with the passage of time or when a triggering event occurs and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also includes assets not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal prepaid expenses and other current assets29true0fslr_ProjectAssetsCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstractfslrfalsenadurationProject assets, current and noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringProject assets, current and noncurrent.falsefalseProject Assets - Current and Noncurrent:30false0fslr_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationProjectAssetsAcquiredfslrfalsedebitinstantProject assets acquired through business acquisitions.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse217417000217417000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse217417000217417000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject assets acquired through business acquisitions.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseProject assets acquired through OptiSolar and NextLight31false0fslr_ProjectAssetsLandCurrentAndNoncurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantProject assets land current and noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1381000013810000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1378100013781000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject assets land current and noncurrent.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseProject assets - land32false0fslr_ProjectAssetsOtherCurrentAndNoncurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantProject assets other, current and noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse153149000153149000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse8894200088942000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject assets other, current and noncurrent.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseProject assets - other33false0fslr_ProjectAssetsCurrentAndNoncurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantProject assets, current and Noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse384376000384376000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse320140000320140000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject assets, current and Noncurrent.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal project assets34false0fslr_ProjectAssetsCurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantProject Assets Current.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject Assets Current.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal project assets - current35false0fslr_ProjectAssetsNoncurrentfslrfalsedebitinstantProject assets noncurrent.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse384376000384376000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse320140000320140000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProject assets noncurrent.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal project assets - noncurrent36true0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseProperty, plant and equipment, net:37false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGrossus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse16061780001606178000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse13800700001380070000falsefalsefalsetruefalse13truefalsefalse344320000344320000falsefalsefalsetruefalse14truefalsefalse286637000286637000falsefalsefalsetruefalse15truefalsefalse11573190001157319000falsefalsefalsetruefalse16truefalsefalse997510000997510000falsefalsefalsetruefalse17truefalsefalse7812100078121000falsefalsefalsetruefalse18truefalsefalse7056900070569000falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truefalsefalse2641800026418000falsefalsefalsetruefalse20truefalsefalse2535400025354000falsefalsefalsetruefalse21truefalsefalse1113900011139000falsefalsefalsetruefalse22truefalsefalse1035500010355000falsefalsefalsetruefalse23truefalsefalse341834000341834000falsefalsefalsetruefalse24truefalsefalse403669000403669000falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount at the balance sheet date for long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, physical structures, machinery, vehicles, furniture, computer equipment, construction in progress, and similar items. Amount does not include depreciation.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 falsefalseProperty, plant and equipment, gross38false0us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-409622000-409622000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-363305000-363305000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph c Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 14 -Article 5 falsefalseAccumulated depreciation39false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse15495290001549529000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse14307890001430789000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse11965560001196556000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse10167650001016765000falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, and production equipment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b, c Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 falsefalseProperty, plant and equipment, net40false0us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCreditus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1630000016300000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount deducted from an entities' taxes, reflecting a percentage of an amount invested in certain assets spread over the useful life of those assets; includes deferred investment tax credits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseInvestment tax credit41false0us-gaap_Depreciationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse4710000047100000falsefalsefalsetruefalse11truefalsefalse3660000036600000falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 falsefalseDepreciation42true0us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseInterest Costs Incurred [Abstract]43false0us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurredus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-1837000-1837000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-2275000-2275000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal interest costs incurred during the period and either capitalized or charged against earnings.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 falsefalseInterest cost incurred44false0us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalizedus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25truefalsefalse17590001759000falsefalsefalsetruefalse26truefalsefalse418000418000falsefalsefalsetruefalse27truefalsefalse7800078000falsefalsefalsetruefalse28truefalsefalse18570001857000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of interest that was capitalized during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph b falsefalseInterest costs, capitalized during period45false0us-gaap_InterestExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 9 -Subsection II Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 9 -Article 9 falsefalseInterest expense, net46true0fslr_AccuedExpensesAbstractfslrfalsenadurationAccued expenses details.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringAccued expenses details.falsefalseAccued Expenses [Abstract]47false0us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3461200034612000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6935300069353000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 falsefalseAccrued compensation and benefits48false0fslr_AccruedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentfslrfalsecreditinstantAccrued property, plant and equipment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5712100057121000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5374100053741000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccrued property, plant and equipment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAccrued property, plant, and equipment49false0fslr_AccruedInventoryfslrfalsecreditinstantAccrued inventory, currentfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3678000036780000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2568600025686000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccrued inventory, currentNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseAccrued inventory50false0us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualClassifiedCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1260800012608000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1122600011226000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10 falsefalseProduct warranty liability - current51false0fslr_ProductWarrantyAccrualInExcessOfNormalProductWarrantyLiabilityNonrecurringfslrfalsecreditinstantProduct warranty accrual in excess of normal product warranty liability, nonrecurring.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2309100023091000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2892100028921000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse1940000019400000falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse37000003700000falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryProduct warranty accrual in excess of normal product warranty liability, nonrecurring.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNonrecurring expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and realted expenses52false0us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6474400064744000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5534400055344000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 falsefalseOther accrued expenses53false0us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse228956000228956000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse244271000244271000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 truefalseTotal accrued expenses54true0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrentAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseOther current liabilities55false0us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1471800014718000[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, including sales, license fees, and royalties, but excluding interest income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7, 8 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A falsefalseDeferred revenue56false0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4553200045532000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2299600022996000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, and which are expected to be extinguished or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 falsefalseDerivative instruments57false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2491200024912000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3460100034601000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the current portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A current taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a current asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 falsefalseDeferred tax liabilities58false0us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1477400014774000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2736100027361000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryObligations not otherwise itemized or previously categorized that are due within one year or operating cycle, if longer, from the balance sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 falsefalseOther current liabilities59false0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse8521800085218000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse9967600099676000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse22falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse23falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse24falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse25falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse26falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse27falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse28falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. 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amount as of the balance sheet date of the unpaid sum of the known and estimated amounts payable to satisfy all domestic and foreign income tax obligations due beyond one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 15, 21 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph b(1) -Article 7 falsefalseOther taxes payable62false0us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition 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carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 truefalseTotal other liabilities1<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-align:justify;text-indent:-24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We purchase a critical raw material that is heavily used in our core production process in quantities that anticipate confident, but long-term future demand. We classify the raw materials that we do not expect to be consumed within our operating cycle (which is 12 months) as noncurrent.</font></div></div>2<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-align:justify;text-indent:-24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Deferred project costs represent (i) costs that we capitalize for arrangements that we account for as real estate transactions after we have entered into a definitive sales arrangement, but before we have met the criteria to recognize the sale as revenue, (ii) recoverable pre-contract costs that we capitalize for arrangements accounted for as long-term construction contracts prior to entering into a definitive sales agreement, or (iii) costs that we capitalize for arrangements accounted for as long-term construction contracts after we have signed a definitive sales agreement, but before the revenue recognition criteria have been met. </font></div></div>3<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-align:justify;text-indent:-24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> The above-referenced </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$23.1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> of accrued nonrecurring expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses as of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">March&#160;31, 2011</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> consisted of the following, each related to the manufacturing excursion described below: (i) </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$19.4 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> in estimated expenses for certain module replacement efforts voluntarily undertaken by us beyond the normal product warranty; and (ii) </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$3.7 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> in estimated nonrecurring post-sale expenses. During the period from June 2008 to June 2009, a manufacturing excursion occurred affecting less than 4% of the total product manufactured within the period.&#160;The excursion could result in possible premature power loss in affected modules.&#160;The root cause was identified and subsequently mitigated in June 2009.&#160;On-going testing confirms that the corrective actions have been effective. We have been working directly with impacted customers to replace the affected modules and these efforts are well underway and, in some cases, complete. Some of these efforts go beyond our normal warranty coverage</font></div></div>4<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-align:left;text-indent:-24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> Deferred revenue is recognized in net sales once all revenue recognition criteria are met</font></div></div>2859Note 8. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Details)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownNoRoundingtruetrue