Shareholder's Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2016	Jul. 15, 2016	Jun. 24, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Cash distribution payment to Partnership		$ 4.7
Class A shares | Subsequent Event
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
New issuance of shares	8,050,000
Class A shares | I P O
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
New issuance of shares			20,000,000
Class B shares
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding				51,000,000
OpCo | Noncontrolling Interest
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership interest				28.20%
SunPower and First Solar | Noncontrolling Interest
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership interest				71.80%