SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE
Short-term notes payable	$ 544,991	$ 369,722

Amount of borrowings classified s short term notes payable.

No definition available.

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