Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Balance Sheet Components (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	May. 31, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
Reimbursement period of construction cost			5 years
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	$ 2,686,000		$ 2,686,000			$ 12,214,000
Depreciation expense	1,200,000	$ 700,000	2,400,000	$ 1,600,000
Solar Energy System Performance Warranty
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
System output performance warranty	275,000	29,000	275,000	29,000	$ 420,000	525,000	$ 39,000
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	300,000		300,000			$ 500,000
SunPower | Solar Energy System Performance Warranty
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
Due from related parties related to system output performance warranties	1,400,000		1,400,000
System output performance warranty	300,000		300,000
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	1,100,000		1,100,000
Predecessor
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash grants	$ 0	0	$ 0	11,900,000
Reduced operating leases, carrying amount		0		6,200,000
Reduced sales type lease cost of operations		$ 0		$ 5,700,000