Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Schedule of Interest Expense (Detail) - SolarCity [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual interest coupon	$ 10,899	$ 6,615	$ 28,306	$ 23,330
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,759	4,952	5,274	8,835
Amortization of debt discounts	29,888	24,660	83,852	75,493
Total	$ 42,546	$ 36,227	$ 117,432	$ 107,658

Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense.

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Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs.

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Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

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