Investment Funds - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 Segment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) InvestmentFund	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of non-operational investment funds | InvestmentFund		1
Solar energy systems, net		$ 1,458,355,000	$ 1,102,157,000
Distributions paid to reimburse fund investors		2,700,000	5,000,000	$ 0
Accrued distribution		8,300,000
Restricted cash		26,853,000	15,035,000
Minimum
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Restricted cash		$ 10,000,000	10,000,000
Residential Investment Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Summary of investment fund		As of December 31, 2016, the Company had formed 20 residential investment funds for the purpose of funding the purchase of solar energy systems under long-term customer contracts.
Number of investment funds | InvestmentFund		20
Investors cash contribution to variable interest equity		$ 1,050,900,000	773,000,000
Residential Investment Funds | Investor
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investors cash contribution to variable interest equity		110,000,000
C&I Investment Fund
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of projects initiated | Segment	0
Termination fee		1,000,000
Financing Obligation
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Solar energy systems, net		$ 60,500,000	64,700,000
Investment tax credit rate		30.00%
Service and operational term		5 years
Recognized revenue on investment		0.20%
Accrued return of lease pass-through upfront lease payment		$ 1,800,000
Financing liabilities		40,400,000	47,300,000
Deferred revenue		34,200,000	40,100,000
Financing Obligation | Other Liabilities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Lease pass-through financing obligation		$ 6,200,000	$ 7,200,000