Debt - Cash Equity Debt (Additional Information) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Cash Equity Debt [Member] \| Non-recourse debt [Member] \| Solar City Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 502

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant