VIE Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total consideration paid	$ 500,000
Accrued in distribution payable		$ 2,700,000
VIEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Fund assets pledged as collateral		$ 0
Silevo's Joint Venture in China [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest acquired		65.70%
Term of agreement		1 year
Automatic renewal period		1 year