<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.3</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>583</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>502</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>181</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>12</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004001 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Organization</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Revenue</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Revenue</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Divested Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DivestedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Divested Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/EarningsLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2126100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2127100 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Revenue (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RevenueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Revenue</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Acquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntities</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2324301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/EarningsLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2327301 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReporting</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Organization - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/OrganizationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Cash Cash Equivalent and Restricted Cash As Presented in SCF (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesReconciliationOfCashCashEquivalentAndRestrictedCashAsPresentedInScfDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Cash Cash Equivalent and Restricted Cash As Presented in SCF (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RevenueDisaggregationOfRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Revenue - Performance Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RevenuePerformanceObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Performance Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Revenue - Contract Balances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RevenueContractBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Contract Balances (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - Divested Operations - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DivestedOperationsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Divested Operations - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions - Schedule of Proforma Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AcquisitionsScheduleOfProformaDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions - Schedule of Proforma Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities - Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities - Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Investments - Schedule of Projects Accounted under Equity Method of Accounting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestmentsScheduleOfProjectsAccountedUnderEquityMethodOfAccountingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Investments - Schedule of Projects Accounted under Equity Method of Accounting (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Investments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Investments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Investments - Summarized Operating Results of Unconsolidated Investees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/UnconsolidatedInvestmentsSummarizedOperatingResultsOfUnconsolidatedInvesteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Investments - Summarized Operating Results of Unconsolidated Investees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DebtScheduleOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Debt - Schedule of Reconciliation of Interest Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DebtScheduleOfReconciliationOfInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Schedule of Reconciliation of Interest Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415404 - Disclosure - Debt - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415405 - Disclosure - Debt - Convertible Senior Note (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DebtConvertibleSeniorNoteDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Convertible Senior Note (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Derivative Instruments Classified as Assets (Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsClassifiedAsAssetsLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Derivative Instruments Classified as Assets (Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments - Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsNotionalAmountsOfOutstandingDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments - Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417405 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments - Summary of Effects of Cash Flow Hedges on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsSummaryOfEffectsOfCashFlowHedgesOnConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments - Summary of Effects of Cash Flow Hedges on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417406 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments - Summary of Effects of Undesignated Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsSummaryOfEffectsOfUndesignatedDerivativesOnConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments - Summary of Effects of Undesignated Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Leases - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421403 - Disclosure - Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesSupplementalBalanceSheetInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421404 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421405 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Lease Cost, Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfLeaseCostSupplementalCashFlowAndOtherInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Lease Cost, Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421406 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Estimated Future Commitments Related to Operating Leases and Land Agreements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfEstimatedFutureCommitmentsRelatedToOperatingLeasesAndLandAgreementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Estimated Future Commitments Related to Operating Leases and Land Agreements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossSummaryOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and (Liabilities) Required Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesRequiredFairValueMeasurementOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and (Liabilities) Required Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423404 - Disclosure - - Reconciliation of Derivative Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/ReconciliationOfDerivativeAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>- Reconciliation of Derivative Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423405 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of Contingent Consideration Measured at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsReconciliationOfContingentConsiderationMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of Contingent Consideration Measured at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423406 - Disclosure - - Fair Value Level 3 Inputs, Quantitative Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueLevel3InputsQuantitativeInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>- Fair Value Level 3 Inputs, Quantitative Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423407 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Company's Financial Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsCarryingAmountsAndFairValuesOfCompanysFinancialLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Company's Financial Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Noncontrolling Interest Balances By Projects (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfNoncontrollingInterestBalancesByProjectsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Noncontrolling Interest Balances By Projects (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Noncontrolling Interest Balances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfNoncontrollingInterestBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Noncontrolling Interest Balances (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Computations of Class A Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareComputationsOfClassBasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Computations of Class A Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427402 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Related Party Receivable and Payable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsRelatedPartyReceivableAndPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Related Party Receivable and Payable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427403 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transaction Revenue and Expenses Included in Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsRelatedPartyTransactionRevenueAndExpensesIncludedInStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transaction Revenue and Expenses Included in Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427404 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Related Party Purchase Agreements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsRelatedPartyPurchaseAgreementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Related Party Purchase Agreements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427405 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Schedule of Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingScheduleOfSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Schedule of Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428404 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingReconciliationOfSegmentAdjustedEbitdaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="pegi2019093010q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.patternenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="pegi2019093010q.htm">pegi2019093010q.htm</File>
    <File>pegi-20190930.xsd</File>
    <File>pegi-20190930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pegi-20190930_def.xml</File>
    <File>pegi-20190930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pegi-20190930_pre.xml</File>
    <File>pegi2019093010qex311.htm</File>
    <File>pegi2019093010qex312.htm</File>
    <File>pegi2019093010qex32.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>a93019capitalstructure.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
