Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 17,346	$ 17,624	$ 17,346
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 586,050	$ 590,331	$ 586,050
First Solar
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage	28.00%	36.50%	28.00%
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	$ 230,039	$ 238,210	$ 230,039
SunPower
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	300,670	311,327	300,670
Tax equity investors
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	17,300	17,600	17,300
Noncontrolling interests attributable to tax equity investors	55,341	40,794	55,341
Subsidiaries
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Amount received from investors under the related facilities	$ (6,500)	$ 126,400	$ 102,200