Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	8 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent		28.20%
Deferred and capitalized direct cost related to IPO	$ 0.3	$ 2.5
IPO cost expensed as selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 0.2	$ 1.6
SunPower
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Contribution of Interest in entities	100.00%	100.00%
Maryland Solar
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Contribution of Interest in entities	100.00%	100.00%
Lost Hills Blackwell Project Entity
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities	49.00%	49.00%
North Star Project Entity
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities	49.00%	49.00%
Solar Gen Two Project Entity
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities	49.00%	49.00%
OpCo
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent		28.20%
SunPower and First Solar | OpCo
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent		71.80%