Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests obtained through acquisition	$ 0	$ 35,400	$ 1,078	$ 36,300	$ 40,128
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	17,346		17,346		17,624
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	578,259		578,259		$ 590,331
Losses attributed to the investors	$ 3,757	(10,183)	$ (2,424)	(22,544)
First Solar
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	28.00%		28.00%		36.50%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 232,709		$ 232,709		$ 238,210
SunPower
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	28.00%		28.00%		36.50%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 304,161		$ 304,161		$ 311,327
Tax Equity Investors
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	17,300		17,300		17,600
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	41,389		41,389		$ 40,794
Subsidiaries
Minority Interest [Line Items]
Amount received from investors under the related facilities	0	47,200	18,800	47,200
Losses attributed to the investors	(6,700)	(52,900)	(15,500)	(87,800)
Amount distributions to investors under the related facilities	$ 2,500	$ 1,400	$ 4,000	$ 2,600