Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 21, 2016	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Overview Of The Company [Line Items]
Common stock shares sold		7,915,004	3,099,173
Issuance of common stock public offering		$ 1,700,000	$ 738,300	$ 1,687,147	$ 738,408
Common Stock [Member]
Overview Of The Company [Line Items]
Common stock shares sold				7,915,000	3,099,000
Issuance of common stock public offering				$ 8	$ 3
Conversion of stock, shares issued	11,124,497,000
SolarCity [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Overview Of The Company [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, shares converted	101,131,791,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Overview Of The Company [Line Items]
Common stock shares sold			82,645
Issuance of common stock public offering			$ 20,000