Organization	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	1.Organization Vivint Solar, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on August 12, 2011. Vivint Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” The Company commenced operations in May 2011. In November 2012 (the “Acquisition Date”), investment funds affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P. (the “Sponsor”) and certain co-investors (collectively, the “Investors”), through 313 Acquisition LLC (“313” or “Parent”), acquired 100% of the equity interests of APX Group, Inc. (“Vivint”) and the Company (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition was accomplished through certain mergers and related reorganization transactions pursuant to which the Company became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of 313, an entity owned by the Investors. In October 2014, the Company closed its initial public offering with 313 remaining the majority shareholder. Business The Company primarily offers solar energy to residential customers through long-term customer contracts, such as power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) and legal-form leases (“Solar Leases”). The Company also offers its customers the option to purchase solar energy systems (“System Sales”) through a third-party loan offering or cash purchase. The Company enters into these customer agreements primarily through a sales organization that uses a direct-to-home sales model. The long-term customer contracts are typically for 20 years and require the customer to make monthly payments to the Company. The Company has formed various investment funds and entered into long-term debt facilities to monetize the recurring customer payments under its long-term customer contracts and the investment tax credits, accelerated tax depreciation and other incentives associated with residential solar energy systems. The Company uses the cash received from the investment funds, long-term debt facilities and revenue generated from operations to finance a portion of the Company’s variable and fixed costs associated with installing solar energy systems. The obligations of the Company are in no event obligations of the investment funds. Since inception, the Company has relied on Vivint and certain of its affiliates for some of its administrative, managerial, account management and operational services. The Company’s use of Vivint services has steadily decreased since 2013 and in 2016 the remaining services consisted primarily of certain IT support. The Company was consolidated by Vivint as a variable interest entity prior to the Acquisition, and continues to be an affiliated entity and related party subsequent to the Acquisition. The Company has entered into various agreements and transactions with Vivint and its affiliates related to these services. See Note 17—Related Party Transactions.

1.Organization

Vivint Solar, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on August 12, 2011. Vivint Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” The Company commenced operations in May 2011. In November 2012 (the “Acquisition Date”), investment funds affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P. (the “Sponsor”) and certain co-investors (collectively, the “Investors”), through 313 Acquisition LLC (“313” or “Parent”), acquired 100% of the equity interests of APX Group, Inc. (“Vivint”) and the Company (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition was accomplished through certain mergers and related reorganization transactions pursuant to which the Company became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of 313, an entity owned by the Investors. In October 2014, the Company closed its initial public offering with 313 remaining the majority shareholder.

Business

The Company primarily offers solar energy to residential customers through long-term customer contracts, such as power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) and legal-form leases (“Solar Leases”). The Company also offers its customers the option to purchase solar energy systems (“System Sales”) through a third-party loan offering or cash purchase. The Company enters into these customer agreements primarily through a sales organization that uses a direct-to-home sales model. The long-term customer contracts are typically for 20 years and require the customer to make monthly payments to the Company.

The Company has formed various investment funds and entered into long-term debt facilities to monetize the recurring customer payments under its long-term customer contracts and the investment tax credits, accelerated tax depreciation and other incentives associated with residential solar energy systems. The Company uses the cash received from the investment funds, long-term debt facilities and revenue generated from operations to finance a portion of the Company’s variable and fixed costs associated with installing solar energy systems. The obligations of the Company are in no event obligations of the investment funds.

Since inception, the Company has relied on Vivint and certain of its affiliates for some of its administrative, managerial, account management and operational services. The Company’s use of Vivint services has steadily decreased since 2013 and in 2016 the remaining services consisted primarily of certain IT support. The Company was consolidated by Vivint as a variable interest entity prior to the Acquisition, and continues to be an affiliated entity and related party subsequent to the Acquisition. The Company has entered into various agreements and transactions with Vivint and its affiliates related to these services. See Note 17—Related Party Transactions.