Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (242,537)	$ (253,265)	$ (165,919)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	46,821	24,924	8,523
Amortization of intangible assets	901	13,172	15,042
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	36,601	4,506
Deferred income taxes	174,090	107,466	74,848
Stock-based compensation	10,614	25,604	23,687
Loss on solar energy systems and property and equipment	6,432	1,024
Non-cash interest and other expense	7,161	3,724	6,712
Reduction in lease pass-through financing obligation	(4,239)	(231)
Gains on ineffective portions of cash flow hedges	(1,591)
Excess tax detriment from stock-based compensation	(1,713)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(9,022)	(1,799)	(1,018)
Inventories	(10,654)	143	(195)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(32,526)	(576)	(10,486)
Prepaid tax asset, net	(141,978)	(165,586)	(81,172)
Other non-current assets, net	(6,078)	(5,268)	(8,451)
Accounts payable	2,698	1,636	1,905
Accounts payable—related party	(1,714)	(227)	(935)
Accrued compensation	5,567	(892)	(1,073)
Deferred revenue	6,018	43,492	3,387
Accrued and other liabilities	(10,541)	12,909	(773)
Net cash used in operating activities	(165,690)	(189,244)	(135,918)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for the cost of solar energy systems	(405,635)	(540,399)	(383,522)
Payments for property and equipment	(2,785)	(6,307)	(3,505)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	913
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(11,818)	(8,519)	(1,516)
Proceeds from tax credits and U.S. Treasury grants	5,169		190
Purchase of intangible assets	(291)	(1,221)	(370)
Payment in connection with business acquisition, net of cash acquired			(12,040)
Net cash used in investing activities	(414,447)	(556,446)	(400,763)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from investment by non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests	277,848	292,729	339,512
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests	(32,134)	(25,541)	(8,751)
Proceeds from long-term debt	589,246	310,850	105,000
Payments on long-term debt	(233,244)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(16,774)	(5,422)
Proceeds from lease pass-through financing obligation	2,388	7,228
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(5,657)	(5,363)	(2,623)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,837	649	412,912
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit—related party			154,500
Payments on revolving lines of credit—related party			(200,192)
Proceeds from short-term debt			75,500
Payments on short-term debt			(75,500)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		1,713
Payments for deferred offering costs		(589)	(8,066)
Net cash provided by financing activities	584,510	576,254	792,292
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	4,373	(169,436)	255,611
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period	92,213	261,649	6,038
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period	96,586	92,213	261,649
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	23,733	8,469	4,473
Cash paid for income taxes	15,905	67,135	4,350
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	14,317
Costs of lessor-financed tenant improvements	7,850
Accrued distributions to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests	4,829	4,567	5,204
Property acquired under build-to-suit agreements	2,896	25,560
Sale-leaseback of property under build-to-suit agreements	(28,456)
Vehicles acquired under capital leases	1,947	11,363	8,541
Costs of solar energy systems included in changes in accounts payable, accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities	(4,508)	(6,589)	25,990
Solar energy system sales
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Receivable for tax credit recorded as a reduction to solar energy system costs	$ 1,552	$ 1,678	$ 4,132