2.2.0.25truefalse2423401 - Disclosure - Note 12. Notes Receivable (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USD_to_EURDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{fslr_NotesReceivableAxis} : Credit Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_fslr_NotesReceivableAxis_fslr_CreditFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCredit Facility Agreement [Member]fslr_NotesReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_CreditFacilityAgreementMemberfslr_NotesReceivableAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170ratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseEURtruefalse{fslr_NotesReceivableAxis} : Credit Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 EUR (€) €I2011Q1_fslr_NotesReceivableAxis_fslr_CreditFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCredit Facility Agreement [Member]fslr_NotesReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_CreditFacilityAgreementMemberfslr_NotesReceivableAxisexplicitMemberEuroStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170ratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0EUREUR€4true0us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalseAccounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]5false0fslr_NotesReceivableInitialAvailableAmountfslrfalsedebitinstantNote receivable initial available amount without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be loaned...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2470000024.7falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse1750000017.5falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNote receivable initial available amount without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be loaned or the amounts currently outstanding under the note.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNotes receivable initial available amount6false0fslr_NoteReceivablePercentageBearingFixedInterestRatefslrfalsenainstantNote receivable, percentage bearing fixed interest rate.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.080.08falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truetruefalse0.080.08falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureNote receivable, percentage bearing fixed interest rate.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNote receivable, percentage bearing fixed interest rate7false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse002026-12-312026-12-31falsefalsetruefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsetruetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsetruetruefalseOtherxbrli:dateItemTypedateDate when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 falsefalseDebt instrument, maturity date8false0us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableNetNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse99000009.9falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse70000007.0falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAn amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date more than one year from the balance sheet date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among myriad other features and characteristics.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 falsefalseNotes receivable balance included in other assets9false0fslr_ExchangeRateRatiofslrfalsenainstantThe exchange ratio as of the date.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseExchangeRatexbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe exchange ratio as of the date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExchange rate ratio36Note 12. Notes Receivable (Details)HundredThousandsUnKnownUnKnownNoRoundingtruetrue