Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligations - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Initial lease term	20 years
Solar energy systems, gross	$ 1,944,054		$ 1,566,667
Depreciation on lease	193,776		143,028
Repayment of lease obligations	$ 2,670	$ 843
Maximum percentage to defer a portion of upfront payments	25.00%
Aggregate amount of term loan agreement	$ 30,000
Loan amount	6,000
Asset Backed Securities
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Solar energy systems, gross	$ 119,700
Securitization transaction date	July 2015
Repayment of lease obligations	$ 88,900
Solar Energy Systems Under Lease Pass-through Fund Arrangements [Member]
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Solar energy systems, gross	396,400		322,200
Depreciation on lease	$ 29,700		$ 19,300
Solar Energy Systems Under Lease Pass-through Fund Arrangements [Member] | Minimum
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Initial lease term	20 years
Solar Energy Systems Under Lease Pass-through Fund Arrangements [Member] | Maximum
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Initial lease term	25 years