Shareholders' Equity - Summary of Partners Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares	May 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding	79,081,032	79,072,680
Class A shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding	28,081,032	28,072,680
Class B shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding	51,000,000	51,000,000
First Solar | Class B shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding	22,116,925	22,116,925
SunPower | Class B shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Partnership shares, outstanding	28,883,075	28,883,075