Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 2,080,000		$ 2,080,000
Noncontrolling interests	288,021,000		288,021,000
Losses attributed to the investors	$ 3,695,000		$ 3,695,000
First Solar
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	31.10%		31.10%
Noncontrolling interests	$ 127,018,000		$ 127,018,000
SunPower
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	40.70%		40.70%
Noncontrolling interests	$ 156,726,000		$ 156,726,000
Subsidiaries
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,100,000		2,100,000
Noncontrolling interests	4,300,000		4,300,000
Amount received from investors under the related facilities	7,000,000	$ 0	$ 7,000,000	$ 0
Losses attributed to the investors	$ (700,000)	$ 0