2.2.0.25truefalse2425403 - Disclosure - Note 13. Debt (Details) - Facility Agreementstruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse3/31/2011 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$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis} : JP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member] {us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Line Of Credit Revolving Letter Of Credit [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_fslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMember_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_LineOfCreditRevolvingLetterOfCreditMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseJP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member]us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberus-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLine Of Credit - Revolving Letter Of Credit [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_LineOfCreditRevolvingLetterOfCreditMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis} : JP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member] {us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Line Of Credit Revolving Letter Of Credit [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_fslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMember_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_LineOfCreditRevolvingLetterOfCreditMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseJP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member]us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberus-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLine Of Credit - Revolving Letter Of Credit [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_LineOfCreditRevolvingLetterOfCreditMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5falsefalseEURtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 EUR (&#x20ac;) €I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberEuroStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170EUREUR€6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement Floating Rate Term Loan [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFloatingRateTermLoanMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement Floating Rate Term Loan [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFloatingRateTermLoanMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement Floating Rate Term Loan [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFloatingRateTermLoanMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement Floating Rate Term Loan [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFloatingRateTermLoanMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement, Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFixedRateTermLoanMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement, Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFixedRateTermLoanMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Malaysian Facility Agreement, Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFixedRateTermLoanMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMalaysian Facility Agreement, Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_MalaysianFacilityAgreementFixedRateTermLoanMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Director of Development of the State of Ohio [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhioMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDirector of Development of the State of Ohio [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhioMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Director of Development of the State of Ohio [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhioMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDirector of Development of the State of Ohio [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhioMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Director of Development of the State of Ohio 2015 maturity [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhio2015MaturityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseDirector of Development of the State of Ohio 2015 maturity [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhio2015MaturityMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Director of Development of the State of Ohio 2015 maturity [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhio2015MaturityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDirector of Development of the State of Ohio 2015 maturity [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_DirectorOfDevelopmentOfStateOfOhio2015MaturityMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Capital Lease Obligations [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCapital Lease Obligations [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : Capital Lease Obligations [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCapital Lease Obligations [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : France Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_FranceFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFrance Facility Agreement [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_FranceFacilityAgreementMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0USDUSD$18falsefalseEURtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : France Facility Agreement [Member] 3/31/2011 EUR (&#x20ac;) €I2011Q1_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_fslr_FranceFacilityAgreementMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFrance Facility Agreement [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_FranceFacilityAgreementMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberEuroStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217EURiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0EUREUR€19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis} : JP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member] 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_fslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseJP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member]us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberus-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis} : JP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q4_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_fslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseJP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member]us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberus-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis} : JP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member] 9/4/2009 USD ($) $I2009Q4SD-Sept4_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_fslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494instant2009-09-04T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseJP Morgan Chase Bank NA And Bank Of America [Member]us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldifslr_JpMorganChaseBankNaAndBankOfAmericaMemberus-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4true0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalseDebt Instrument [Line Items]5false0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truefalsefalse600000000600000000falsetruefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21truefalsefalse300000000300000000falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseLine of credit facility, current borrowing capacity6false0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse188900000188900000falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse134000000134000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17truefalsefalse7050000070500000falsefalsefalsetruefalse18truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truefalsefalse750000000750000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryMaximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseLine of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity7false0fslr_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageVariableRateDescriptionfslrfalsenainstantDebt instrument interest rate stated percentage variable rate description.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00Euribor plus 0.55%falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00Borrowings under the amended and restated credit agreement currently bear interest at (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (adjusted for eurocurrency reserve requirements) plus a margin of 2.25% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.25%, depending on the type of borrowing requestedfalsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDebt instrument interest rate stated percentage variable rate description.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseInterest Rate Stated Percentage - Variable Rate Description8false0fslr_LineOfCreditCommitmentFeeAnnualPercentageRatefslrfalsenadurationLine of credit commitment fees, annual percentage rate.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truetruefalse0.003750.00375falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureLine of credit commitment fees, annual percentage rate.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseLine of credit commitment fee, annual percentage rate9false0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEndus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truetruefalse0.02780.0278falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseLine of credit facility, interest rate at period end10false0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstandingus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse100000000100000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truefalsefalse140800000140800000falsefalsefalsetruefalse20truefalsefalse126400000126400000falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance-sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseLine of credit facility, amount outstanding11false0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19truefalsefalse459200000459200000falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseLine of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity12false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11truefalsefalse1500000015000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13truefalsefalse1500000015000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 21 -Paragraph 16, 20 falsefalseDebt Instrument, Face Amount13false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCurrencyus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00EUREURfalsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00EUREURfalsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00USDUSDfalsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescription of the type of currency in which the debt instrument is required to be repaid.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, Currency14false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truetruefalse0.04540.0454falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13truetruefalse0.02250.0225falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17truetruefalse0.040.04falsefalsefalsetruefalse18truetruefalse0.040.04falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureInterest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 falsefalseDebt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage15false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPrincipalOutstandingus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse124064000124064000[1]falsetruefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse8800000088000000[1]falsetruefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse130018000130018000[1]falsetruefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse6203200062032000[2]falsetruefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse6500900065009000[2]falsetruefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse6203200062032000falsetruefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse6500900065009000falsetruefalsetruefalse11truefalsefalse76710007671000falsetruefalsetruefalse12truefalsefalse81120008112000falsetruefalsetruefalse13truefalsefalse76710007671000falsetruefalsetruefalse14truefalsefalse81120008112000falsetruefalsetruefalse15truefalsefalse22080002208000falsetruefalsetruefalse16truefalsefalse17360001736000falsetruefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of outstanding principal due under the debt instrument at the end of the reporting period.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 FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number APB14-1 -Paragraph 31 -Subparagraph b falsefalseDebt instrument, principal outstanding16false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescriptionus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse0020162016falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse0020162016falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse0020152015falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescription of the maturity date of the debt instrument including whether the debt matures serially and, if so, a brief description of the serial maturities.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 date, description17false0fslr_ExchangeRateRatiofslrfalsenainstantThe exchange ratio as of the date.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1.411.41falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse17falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse18falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse19falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse20falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseExchangeRatexbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe exchange ratio as of the date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExchange rate ratio1<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;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">&#8364;88.0 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> outstanding at </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;"> (</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$124.1 million</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> at the balance sheet close rate on </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;"> of </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">$1.41</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/&#8364;1.00).</font></div></div>2<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We entered into an interest rate swap contract related to this loan. </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">See Note 9. "Derivative Financial Instruments,"</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> to our condensed consolidated financial statements.</font></div></div>2114Note 13. Debt (Details) - Facility AgreementsNoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownNoRoundingtruetrue