Lease Passthrough Financing Obligations - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Initial lease term		20 years
Solar energy systems, gross		$ 2,091,585	$ 1,570,695
Depreciation on lease		$ 212,671	143,028
Discount on expected remaining lease payments		5.00%
Repayment of lease obligations		$ 4,854	1,181
Maximum percentage to defer a portion of upfront payments				25.00%
Aggregate amount of term loan agreement				$ 30,000
Loan amount		21,800
Asset Backed Securities
Property Subject To Or Available For Operating Lease [Line Items]
Solar energy systems, gross		119,700
Repayment of lease obligations	$ 88,900	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		447,400	322,200
Depreciation on lease		$ 33,500	$ 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