Debt instrument discount rate.

No definition available.

Name:	run_DebtInstrumentDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	run_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument Maximum Borrowing Capacity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	run_DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	run_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest coverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	run_InterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	run_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum unencumbered liquid assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	run_MinimumUnencumberedLiquidAssets
Namespace Prefix:	run_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Term Loan Prepayment Penalty, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	run_TermLoanPrepaymentPenaltyPercent
Namespace Prefix:	run_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Cash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount of financial assets accounted for as secured borrowings recognized in the transferor's statement of financial position at the end of each period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64858031&loc=SL6224234-111729

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssetsCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=run_RecourseDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=run_NonRecourseDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=run_AggregationFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=run_WorkingCapitalFacilityWithSyndicateOfBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=run_TermLoanDueinApril2024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=run_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=run_CreditFacilityAgreementWithSyndicateOfBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=run_BankLoanDueSeptember2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_PaymentInKindPIKNoteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Indebtedness - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 1,115,795,000	$ 898,023,000
Cash	216,142,000	206,364,000	$ 207,477,000	$ 203,864,000
Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	247,000,000	244,000,000
Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	868,795,000	654,023,000
Line of Credit \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 288,400,000	$ 245,200,000
Debt maturity date	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Minimum \| Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.73%	2.93%
Maximum \| Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.81%	3.39%
Aggregation facility \| Line of Credit \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 310,900,000
Aggregation facility \| Minimum \| Line of Credit \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan prepayment penalty, percent	0.00%
Aggregation facility \| Maximum \| Line of Credit \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan prepayment penalty, percent	1.00%
Bank line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash	$ 216,100,000
Debt instrument term	3 years
Bank line of credit \| Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 247,000,000	$ 244,000,000
Debt maturity date	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Bank line of credit \| Minimum \| Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.49%	3.96%
Bank line of credit \| Maximum \| Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.52%	5.75%
Bank line of credit \| Syndicated working capital facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 250,000,000
Minimum unencumbered liquid assets to be maintained	$ 25,000,000
Bank line of credit \| Syndicated working capital facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio	200.00%
Term loan due April 2024 \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 202,000,000
Loan outstanding balance	$ 131,508,000
Debt maturity date	Apr. 30, 2024
Term loan due April 2024 \| Term Loan \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 195,000,000
Term loan due April 2024 \| Letter of Credit \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 7,000,000
Term loan due April 2024 \| Minimum \| Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.98%
Term loan due April 2024 \| Maximum \| Recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.06%
Syndicated term loans \| Credit facility agreements with syndicate of banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 164,880,000
Bank loans \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 35,661,000
Debt maturity date	Sep. 30, 2020
Bank term loans due September 2022, Tranche One \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 12,600,000
Debt maturity date	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022
Interest rate	3.48%	2.86%
Bank term loans due September 2022, Tranche Two \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 20,400,000
Debt maturity date	Sep. 30, 2022
Interest rate	4.33%
Bank term loan \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 30,965,000	$ 31,088,000
Debt maturity date	Jul. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2021
Bank term loan \| Minimum \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.82%	6.25%
Bank term loan \| Maximum \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	10.32%	9.94%
Bank term loan \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 25,462,000	$ 27,896,000
Debt maturity date	Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 30, 2022
Interest rate	4.50%	4.50%
Solar asset-backed notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured borrowings assets carrying amount	$ 175,200,000	$ 181,800,000
Debt instrument discount rate	0.08%
Solar asset-backed notes \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 97,269,000	101,295,000
Note payable \| Non recourse debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 39,218,000	$ 36,232,000
Debt maturity date	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Interest rate	12.00%	12.00%
Note payable \| Payment-in-kind
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan outstanding balance	$ 12,300,000	$ 9,500,000
Interest rate	12.00%