Subsequent Events - Schedule of Net Assets Acquired (Details) - Kern Phase 2(c) Assets - Subsequent Event $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2017 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 6,710
Related party payable	(2,618)
Asset retirement obligation	(279)
Noncontrolling interest	(658)
Net assets acquired	$ 3,155

Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed asset retirement obligation.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	cafd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed related parties payable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cafd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

This element represents the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 37
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73531372&loc=d3e2207-128464

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed, less the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Details

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