Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable—related party	$ 191,000	$ 1,905,000
Non-cash contributions for services			$ 200,000
Accrued equity distributions	16,176,000	11,347,000
Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts due from direct-sales personnel	3,700,000	2,900,000
Provision for advances to direct-sales personnel	1,300,000	700,000
Accrued equity distributions	1,600,000	1,700,000
Solar Energy Systems
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Installation for corporate entity in exchange of value-in-kind consideration	1,500,000
Utilization of value-in-kind consideration	$ 600,000
Consideration utilization period	3 years
Vivint Services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fees incurred in conjunction with agreements entered	$ 4,300,000	8,000,000	2,200,000
Rental cost	0	0	7,200,000
313 Incentive Units Plan | Director
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash contributions for services	$ 0	0	200,000
Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement termination date	Aug. 31, 2015
Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. | General and Administrative Expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fees incurred in conjunction with agreements entered	$ 0	$ 4,400,000	$ 4,500,000
Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of placement fee				0.75%	0.00%
Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of placement fee				1.50%	2.00%