Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (14,684)	$ (15,646)	$ (12,145)	$ (44,694)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation, net of zero tax impact	7,286	780	9,749	11,642
Derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($98), $1,379, ($59) and $4,102, respectively	(3,877)	(9,964)	(4,418)	(30,661)
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $236, $281, $487 and $583, respectively	2,164	2,721	4,483	5,623
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	(1,713)	(7,243)	65	(25,038)
Proportionate share of equity investee’s derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($1,064), $1,296, ($285) and $3,969, respectively	2,950	(3,594)	790	(11,008)
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $629, $470, $1,661 and $922, respectively	1,747	1,304	4,608	2,557
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	4,697	(2,290)	5,398	(8,451)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,270	(8,753)	15,212	(21,847)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(4,414)	(24,399)	3,067	(66,541)
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(28,904)	(12,423)	(32,018)	(17,801)
Derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax (provision) benefit of $93, $164, $101 and $507, respectively	(253)	(442)	(274)	(1,370)
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $29, $40, $62 and $87, respectively	79	107	167	235
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	(174)	(335)	(107)	(1,135)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(29,078)	(12,758)	(32,125)	(18,936)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pattern Energy	$ 24,664	$ (11,641)	$ 35,192	$ (47,605)