Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Estimated Fair Values and their Carrying Values (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 5,892,016
MyPower customer notes receivable [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	513,002,000
Fair Value	513,002,000
Convertible senior notes [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,957,288,000	$ 2,505,868,000
Fair Value	3,205,641,000	$ 3,423,257,000
Participation interest [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	16,713,000
Fair Value	15,025,000
Solar asset-backed notes [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	442,764,000
Fair Value	428,551,000
Solar Loan-backed Notes [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	137,024,000
Fair Value	$ 132,129,000