Name:	csiq_BankPayableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the carrying amount at the balance sheet date of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy, with a maturity within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer from the date of borrowing.

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_LongTermNonBankLoansAndNotesPayableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank which includes the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_NonBankBorrowingsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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

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

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding calculated over time.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank with a maturity within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByRestrictedCashMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByInventoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByLandUseRightAndPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByProjectAssetsAndSolarPowerSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: