Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

fronting fee

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- Definition

Description of the type of currency in which the debt instrument is required to be repaid.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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- Definition

Amount 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.

+ References

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- Definition

Maximum 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.

+ References

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- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as noncurrent.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as current.

+ References

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No definition available.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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9. Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, ₨ in Billions, ¥ in Billions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 JPY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 INR (₨)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 JPY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 JPY (¥)
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 475,554			$ 482,892
Less: unamortized discount and issuance costs	(10,798)			(11,195)
Total long-term debt	464,756			471,697
Less current portion	(77,029)			(17,510)
Noncurrent portion	387,727			454,187
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Remainder of Fiscal Year	9,114
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	78,076
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	19,450
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	18,433
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	19,361
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	331,120
Total long-term debt future principal payments	$ 475,554
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	USD
Revolving credit facility	$ 0			0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	750,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 10,800			39,300
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.30%
Fronting fee	0.125%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.16%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements, plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.00% depending on the type of borrowing requested.
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	USD
Long-term debt, gross	$ 186,931			188,017
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| DFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	139,900			140,800
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 47,000			47,200
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis	Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.50%
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 148,600
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 38,300
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 210,831			215,879
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 210,800			215,900
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity										$ 233,900	¥ 27.3
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Senior Loan Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Senior loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.75% (2)
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Senior Loan Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity										205,600	24.0
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity										18,000	2.1
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Letter of Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity										$ 10,300	¥ 1.2
Japan Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,698			1,678
Japan Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month TIBOR plus 0.55%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.55%
Japan Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| First Solar Japan GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,700			1,700
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity												$ 33,400	¥ 4.0
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 37,759			37,304
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	3-month TIBOR plus 1.0%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| First Solar Japan GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 37,800			37,300
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity								$ 62,200	¥ 7.0
Anamizu Credit Facility
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,286			12,138
Anamizu Credit Facility \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,300			12,100
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				70,800	¥ 7.7
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				6,500	0.7
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Term loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.70% (2)
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.70%
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				61,000	6.6
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Debt Service Reserve Facility \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Debt service reserve facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 1.20%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.20%
Anamizu Credit Facility \| Debt Service Reserve Facility \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				3,300	¥ 0.4
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	INR
Long-term debt, gross	$ 14,010			15,123
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] \| Anantapur Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 14,000			15,100
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						$ 18,400	₨ 1.2
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, currency	INR
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,039			12,753
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] \| Tungabhadra Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,000			$ 12,800
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						$ 15,300	₨ 1.0
Miyagi Credit Facility [Member] \| Shinsei Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| GK Marumori Hatsudensho [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 164,200	¥ 17.2
Miyagi Credit Facility [Member] \| Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Shinsei Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| GK Marumori Hatsudensho [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		14,400	1.5
Miyagi Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Shinsei Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| GK Marumori Hatsudensho [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		145,100	15.2
Miyagi Credit Facility [Member] \| Debt Service Reserve Facility \| Shinsei Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| GK Marumori Hatsudensho [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		4,700	0.5
Kyoto Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| First Solar Japan GK [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 142,800	¥ 15.0