Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	May 31, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Apr. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 26, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 22,549		$ 22,549					$ 89,747
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	329,587		329,587					194,058
Losses attributed to the investors	(10,183)	$ (69)	(22,544)	$ (69)
Kern Phase 1(a) Assets
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests							$ 864
Kingbird Purchase Agreement
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests						$ 11,709
Hooper Contribution Agreement
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests					$ 23,700
Tax Equity Investors
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	22,500		22,500					89,700
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 72,014		$ 72,014					$ 11,773
First Solar
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	31.10%		31.10%					40.70%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 187,925		$ 187,925					$ 159,624
Amount transferred to an affiliate			$ 46,800
SunPower
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	31.10%		31.10%					40.70%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 69,648		$ 69,648					$ 22,661
Subsidiaries
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Amount received from investors under the related facilities	47,200	1,000	47,200	1,000
Losses attributed to the investors	52,900	700	87,800	700
Amount distributions to investors under the related facilities	$ 1,400	$ 0	$ 2,600	$ 0