ALLOWANCES FOR DOUBTFUL RECEIVABLES AND ADVANCES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance of doubtful receivables, advance to suppliers and prepayment for purchases of property, plant and equipment	$ 1,993,446	$ 117,520	$ 5,710,167

Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset of which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, advances to suppliers and prepayment for purchases of property, plant and equipment, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected).

No definition available.

Name:	sol_AllowanceOfDoubtfulReceivablesAdvanceToSuppliersAndPrepaymentForPurchasesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	sol_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration