Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012 segments	Jan. 01, 2012		Jan. 02, 2011
Revenue by Geography [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	3
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,417,501	$ 2,374,376	[1]	$ 2,219,230
Cost of revenue	2,171,103	2,148,158	[1]	1,709,337
Gross margin	246,398	226,218	[1]	509,893
Revenue earned from discontinued operations				17,261
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	2,171,103	2,148,158	[1]	1,709,337
Amortization of other intangible assets	9,114	23,372	[1],[2]	38,477
Stock-based compensation expense	42,439	46,736		54,372
Non-cash interest expense	38,177	28,627	[1],[2]	30,616
Depreciation	108,656	107,100	[1],[2]	102,192
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	1,696,348	1,266,347		632,053
Cost of revenue	1,415,417	1,131,771		502,780
Utility and power plant projects	(204,811)	(186,423)		0
Change in European government incentives	4,029	20,765		0
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	1,415,417	1,131,771		502,780
Utility and power plan projects	(97,648)	(147,037)		0
Amortization of other intangible assets	167	404		9,513
Stock-based compensation expense	6,181	5,974		4,415
Acquisition and integration costs	14	0		0
Change in European government incentives	4,029	20,765		0
Charges on manufacturing step reduction program	8,095	0		0
Non-recurring idle equipment impairment	7,001	0		0
Non-cash interest expense	1,024	1,194		1,802
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	17.00%	11.00%		20.00%
Depreciation	59,120	50,352		28,362
Americas CODM [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	1,901,159	1,452,770		632,053
Cost of revenue	1,486,554	1,250,471		487,050
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	1,486,554	1,250,471		487,050
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	22.00%	14.00%		23.00%
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	489,484	924,337		1,526,480
Cost of revenue	559,993	868,330		1,159,115
Change in European government incentives	193	649		0
Revenue earned from discontinued operations	0	0		(11,081)
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	559,993	868,330		1,159,115
Amortization of other intangible assets	2,341	858		759
Stock-based compensation expense	3,851	6,183		10,074
Acquisition and integration costs	6	0		0
COGS Impact Of Change In Foreign Government Incentives	3,364	32,283		0
Change in European government incentives	193	649		0
Charges on manufacturing step reduction program	3,667	0		0
Non-recurring idle equipment impairment	2,415	0		0
Non-cash interest expense	526	1,148		4,739
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	(14.00%)	6.00%		24.00%
Depreciation	33,047	47,896		66,568
EMEA CODM [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	489,291	923,688		1,537,561
Cost of revenue	543,823	827,858		1,143,543
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	543,823	827,858		1,143,543
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	(11.00%)	10.00%		26.00%
APAC [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Revenue	231,669	183,692		60,697
Cost of revenue	195,693	148,057		47,442
Change in European government incentives	1,476	2,667		0
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	195,693	148,057		47,442
Amortization of other intangible assets	0	0		134
Stock-based compensation expense	1,578	1,030		1,239
Acquisition and integration costs	2			0
Change in European government incentives	1,476	2,667		0
Charges on manufacturing step reduction program	2,150	0		0
Non-recurring idle equipment impairment	2,447	0		0
Non-cash interest expense	292	222		366
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	16.00%	19.00%		22.00%
Depreciation	16,489	8,852		7,262
APAC CODM [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Cost of revenue	187,748	144,138		45,703
Cost of Revenue by Region [Abstract]
Cost of Revenue	$ 187,748	$ 144,138		$ 45,703
Gross margin by region, as a percentage of total revenue	19.00%	22.00%		25.00%

[1] As adjusted to reflect the balances of Tenesol S.A. ("Tenesol") beginning October 10, 2011, as required under the accounting guidelines for a transfer of an entity under common control (see Note 3).

[2] As adjusted to conform to the current period presentation for solar power systems leased and to be leased (see Note 1).