2.2.0.25truefalse2416405 - Disclosure - Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Transaction ExposuretruefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $I2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USD_to_EURDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseEURtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Euro Member Countries, Euro {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_EUR_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseEuro Member Countries, Eurofslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_EURfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberEuroStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170€3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Euro Member Countries, Euro {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_EUR_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseEuro Member Countries, Eurofslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_EURfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USD_to_EURDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170$4falsefalseMYRtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Malaysia, Ringgits {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_MYR_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysia, Ringgitsfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_MYRfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberMYRStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217MYRiso421705falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Malaysia, Ringgits {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_MYR_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysia, Ringgitsfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_MYRfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USD_to_MYRDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217MYRiso42170$6falsefalseJPYtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Japan, Yen {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_JPY_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseJapan, Yenfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_JPYfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberJPYStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170¥7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Japan, Yen {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_JPY_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseJapan, Yenfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_JPYfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberUSD_to_JPYDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217JPYiso42170usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$8falsefalseCADtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Canada, Dollars {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_CAD_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCanada, Dollarsfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_CADfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberCADStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217CADiso42170$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis} : Canada, Dollars {us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis} : Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_fslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxis_currency_CAD_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseCanada, Dollarsfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicurrency_CADfslr_DerivativeByDenominationCurrencyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseForward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForwardContractsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USD_to_CADDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217CADiso42170$4true0us-gaap_DerivativeLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalseDerivative [Line Items]5false0fslr_ExchangeRateRatiofslrfalsenainstantThe exchange ratio as of the date.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse0.330.33falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse0.330.33falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse0.010.01falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse0.010.01falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse1.031.03falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse1.031.03falsefalsefalsetruefalseExchangeRatexbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe exchange ratio as of the date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExchange rate ratio6false0us-gaap_DerivativeCurrencyBoughtus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00EuroEurofalsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00EuroEurofalsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00Malaysian ringgitMalaysian ringgitfalsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00Malaysian ringgitMalaysian ringgitfalsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00Japanese yenJapanese yenfalsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00Japanese yenJapanese yenfalsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00Canadian dollarCanadian dollarfalsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00Canadian dollarCanadian dollarfalsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringIdentification of the specific currency to be purchased upon settlement or exercise of the foreign currency derivative.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDerivative, currency bought7false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse245900000245.9falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse346700000346.7falsetruefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse111900000111.9falsetruefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse3690000036.9falsetruefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse378000000378.0falsetruefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse38000003.8falsetruefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse12000001.2falsetruefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse12000001.2falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts8false0us-gaap_DerivativeCurrencySoldus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00EuroEurofalsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00EuroEurofalsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00Malaysian ringgitMalaysian ringgitfalsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00Malaysian ringgitMalaysian ringgitfalsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00Canadian dollarCanadian dollarfalsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00Canadian dollarCanadian dollarfalsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringIdentification of the specific currency to be sold upon settlement or exercise of the foreign currency derivative.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDerivative, currency sold9false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse234800000234.8falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse331100000331.1falsetruefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse2940000029.4falsetruefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse97000009.7falsetruefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse35000003.5falsetruefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse36000003.6falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to sell a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotional amount of foreign currency derivative sale contracts96Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Transaction ExposureHundredThousandsUnKnownUnKnownNoRoundingfalsetrue