Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligations - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	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		$ 2,837,454	$ 2,091,585
Depreciation on lease		$ 303,305	212,671
Discount on expected remaining lease payments		5.00%
Repayment of lease obligations		$ 12,759	4,854	$ 1,181
Maximum percentage to defer a portion of upfront payments					25.00%
Aggregate amount of term loan agreement					$ 25,000
Loan amount		23,200
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		494,900	447,400
Depreciation on lease		$ 50,800	$ 33,500
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