Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016	Jul. 01, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 26, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 17,624,000			$ 17,624,000					$ 89,747,000	$ 0	$ 0
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	341,005,000			341,005,000					194,058,000
Losses attributed to the investors	8,281,000	$ 3,695,000	$ 3,695,000	(14,263,000)
Kern Phase 1(a) Assets
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests								$ 864,000
Kingbird Purchase Agreement
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests							$ 11,709,000
Hooper Contribution Agreement
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests						$ 23,700,000
Macy's Maryland Project
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests					$ 600,000
Tax Equity Investors
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	17,600,000			17,600,000					89,700,000
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 50,810,000			$ 50,810,000					$ 11,773,000
First Solar
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	31.10%			31.10%					40.70%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 202,063,000			$ 202,063,000					$ 159,624,000
Amount transferred to an affiliate				$ 46,800,000
SunPower
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	31.10%			31.10%					40.70%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 88,132,000			$ 88,132,000					$ 22,661,000
Subsidiaries
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Amount received from investors under the related facilities	0	7,000,000	7,000,000	47,200,000
Losses attributed to the investors	24,300,000	700,000	700,000	112,100,000
Amount distributions to investors under the related facilities	$ 2,300,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,900,000