DISTRIBUTION OF PROFIT (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Appropriations to general reserve as a percentage of profit after tax, minimum	10.00%
Restricted net assets of PRC subsidiaries	$ 879,908,242	$ 864,408,242

Represents the minimum percentage of after-tax profit required to be appropriated towards the general reserve fund for entities incorporated in the People's Republic Of China.

No definition available.

Name:	sol_AppropriationsToGeneralReserveAsPercentageOfProfitAfterTaxMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	sol_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration