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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$2true0fslr_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNoteAbstractfslrfalsenadurationSignificant accounting policies note.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringSignificant accounting policies note.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:25px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Balance of Systems Parts. </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Balance of systems parts</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;"> </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">represent construction parts purchased for solar power plants under construction, which we hold title of and are not yet installed in a solar power plant. These parts include posts, tilt brackets, cartridges, inverters, and any other parts we purchase or assemble for the solar power plants we construct. Balance of systems parts do not include solar modules. We report these parts at the lower of cost or market, with market being based on either recoverability through installation in a solar power plant under construction or through a sale.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Revenue Recognition - Systems Business</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">. Our systems business provides a complete solar power system solution, which includes project development, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, operating and maintenance (O&M) services, when applicable, and project finance, when required. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We base revenue recognition for arrangements entered into by the systems business generally using two revenue recognition models, following the guidance in ASC 605, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Accounting for Long-term Construction Contracts</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> or, for arrangements which include land, ASC 360, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">Accounting for Sales of Real Estate. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">For construction contracts that do not involve land or land rights and thus are accounted for under ASC 605, we use the percentage-of-completion method using actual costs incurred over total estimated costs to complete a project (including module costs) as our basic accounting policy, unless we cannot make reasonably dependable estimates of the costs to complete the contract, in which case we would use the completed contract method. We periodically revise our contract cost and profit estimates and we immediately recognize any losses that we identify on contracts. Incurred costs include all direct materials, costs for solar modules, labor, subcontractor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, and tools. We recognize direct material costs as incurred costs when the direct materials have been installed. When contracts specify that title to direct materials transfers to the customer before installation has been performed, we defer revenue and associated costs and recognize them once those materials are installed and have met any other revenue recognition requirements. We consider direct materials to be installed when they are permanently attached or fitted to the solar power systems as required by engineering designs.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">For arrangements recognized under ASC 360, typically when we have gained control of land or land rights, we record the sale as revenue after construction of a project is complete, we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer, and we have received payment from the buyer. We apply the percentage-of-completion method to certain contracts covered under ASC 360, when the sale has been consummated, the initial or continuing investment criteria have been met, we have the ability to estimate our costs and progress toward completion, and other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Depending on the value of the initial and continuing payment commitment by the buyer, we generally align our revenue recognition and release of project assets to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer for contracts accounted for under ASC 360.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:26px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:24px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Please also refer to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;text-decoration:none;">Note 2. "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,"</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our significant accounting policies.</font></div></div>2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies   Balance of Systems Parts. Balance of systems parts represent construction parts purchased for solarfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringThis element may be used to describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 22
-Paragraph 8
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