Description of Business - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017 acquisition	Sep. 28, 2016
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Net income attributable to 8point3 Energy Partners LP Class A shares		$ (313)	$ 7,473	$ 3,386	$ 861	$ 4,178	$ 7,593	$ 10,022	$ 5,308	$ 18,726	$ 11,407	$ 27,101
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	28.20%
Deferred and capitalized direct cost related to IPO	$ 2,500									2,500
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests										(22,642)	$ 27,838	$ (14,191)
SG&A
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
IPO cost expensed as selling, general and administrative expenses										$ 1,600
OpCo | Henrietta Project
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities		49.00%									49.00%		49.00%	49.00%
OpCo | Stateline Project
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities		34.00%									34.00%		34.00%
OpCo | SunPower
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Contribution of Interest in entities		100.00%									100.00%		100.00%
OpCo | Maryland Solar
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Contribution of Interest in entities		100.00%									100.00%		100.00%
OpCo | Lost Hills Blackwell
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities		49.00%									49.00%		49.00%
OpCo | North Star
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities		49.00%									49.00%		49.00%
OpCo | Solar Gen 2
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Economic interest in entities		49.00%									49.00%		49.00%
Sponsors
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | acquisition													6
SunPower
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | acquisition													4
First Solar
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | acquisition													2
Op Co | OpCo
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent											35.50%
Op Co | Sponsors
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	71.80%										64.50%
Noncontrolling Interest | Sponsors
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent											64.50%
Restatement adjustment | Error in income taxes resulting in understatement of net income
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Net income attributable to 8point3 Energy Partners LP Class A shares											$ 1,700
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests											2,800
Restatement adjustment | Class A Shares | Error in income taxes resulting in understatement of net income
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Net income attributable to 8point3 Energy Partners LP Class A shares											$ 1,100