2.2.0.25falsefalse2446402 - Disclosure - Note 19. Statement of Cash Flows (Details)truefalseIn Thousandsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/27/2009 - 3/27/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001274494duration2009-12-27T00:00:002010-03-27T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170usdPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$5false0us-gaap_NetIncomeLossus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse115968000115968falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse172345000172345falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph d Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A7 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 10, 15 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 87-21 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28, 29, 30 falsefalseNet income6true0us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseAdjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:7false0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4826900048269falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3908900039089falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDepreciation and amortization8false0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse628000628falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse12890001289falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 26 -Subparagraph b Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 7, 25 falsefalseImpairment of assets and liabilities9false0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOngoingProjectus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse31180003118falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse110000110falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount recognized as an operating expense or loss during the period to reduce the carrying amount of a project that has been impaired but not abandoned.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 falsefalseImpairment of project assets10false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2556700025567falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1947500019475falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock options, amortization of restricted stock, and adjustment for officers compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseShare-based compensation11false0us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealizedus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse14300001430falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse570000570falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate unrealized foreign currency transaction gain or loss (pretax) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Represents the aggregate of gains and losses on transactions that are unsettled as of the balance sheet date, which is therefore an adjustment to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations. (Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting entity's financial statements. For certain entities, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains or losses may be disclosed as dealer gains or losses.)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 FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 30 falsefalseRemeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities12false0us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxesAndTaxCreditsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-12474000-12474falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-2656000-2656falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net amount of deferred income taxes and income tax credits less the tax benefit from exercise of stock options.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseDeferred income taxes13false0us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivitiesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1568000-1568falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReductions in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from non-qualified share-based compensation) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from share-based compensation recognized in financial statements. This element reduces net cash provided by operating activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A96 falsefalseExcess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements14false0us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccountsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-990000-990falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected).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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 5 -Article 5 falsefalseProvision for doubtful accounts receivable15false0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-52000-52falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-222000-222falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net realized gain or loss on investments sold during the period, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseGain on sales of marketable securities and investments, net16false0us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOtherus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-381000-381falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTransactions that do not result in cash inflows or outflows in the period in which they occur, but affect net income and thus are removed when calculating net cash flow from operating activities using the indirect cash flow method. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseOther operating activities17true0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseChanges in operating assets and liabilities:18false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivableus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-48277000-48277falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-55499000-55499falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in amount due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseAccounts receivable, trade19false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInUnbilledReceivablesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-9100000-9100falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-25840000-25840falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period the amount of revenue for work performed for which the billing milestone has not occurred, net of uncollectible accounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseAccounts receivable, unbilled20false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventoriesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-57268000-57268falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-25524000-25524falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseInventories21false0fslr_IncreaseDecreaseInProjectAssetsfslrfalsecreditdurationIncrease Decrease in Project Assetsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-59444000-59444falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse14580001458falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncrease Decrease in Project AssetsNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseProject assets22false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1629400016294falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-532000-532falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of obligations due within one year (or one business cycle). This may include trade payables, amounts due to related parties, royalties payable, and other obligations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseIncrease (Decrease) in Accounts Payable23false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedIncomeTaxesPayableus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1747400017474falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse68180006818falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the period in the amount of cash payments due to taxing authorities for taxes that are based on the reporting entity's earnings.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseIncrease (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable24false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssetsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-52064000-52064falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-74647000-74647falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in the value of this group of assets within the working capital section.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalsePrepaid expenses and other current assets25false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssetsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-2708000-2708falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1452000-1452falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in other operating assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseOther assets26false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilitiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-51562000-51562falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-27827000-27827falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of expenses incurred but not yet paid.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseIncrease (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities27false0us-gaap_OtherIncreaseDecreaseInEnvironmentalLiabilitiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2076900020769falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse68760006876falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryOther net change not attributable to current expense nor cash payments during an accounting period in estimated obligations recorded for probable future costs attributable to environmental contamination issues.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseOther Increase (Decrease) in Environmental Liabilities28false0us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse-159781000-159781falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-141072000-141072falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of adjustments which are added to or deducted from net income or loss, including the portion attributable to noncontrolling interest, to reflect cash provided by or used in operating activities, in accordance with the indirect cash flow method.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 truefalseTotal adjustments29false0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse-43813000-43813falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3127300031273falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities.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 FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 26 truefalseNet cash (used in) provided by operating activities225Note 19. Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue