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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. true2Property, plant and equipment, net29false 5us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionHistoricalCostus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse2440000024400000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2440000024400000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe historical cost of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 40 -Section 55 -Paragraph 52 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=9155692&loc=d3e51843-112757 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 40 -Section 55 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=9155692&loc=d3e51831-112757 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 40 -Section 55 -Paragraph 51 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=9155692&loc=d3e51840-112757 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 98 -Section Appendix A -Paragraph 28, 29 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Sale Leaseback Transaction, Historical Cost30false 5us-gaap_Depreciationus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse2460000024600000[4]USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2930000029300000[4]USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4817100048171000[4]USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse5836200058362000[4]USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. 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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 false2Interest cost incurred33false 5spwr_CashInterestCostCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentspwr_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse299000299000USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse228000228000USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse587000587000USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCash interest cost related to the aquistion of property, plant and equipment assets that is capitalized during the period.No definition available.false2Cash interest cost capitalized - property, plant and equipment34false 5spwr_NoncashInterestCostCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentspwr_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse169000169000USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5700057000USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse302000302000USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNon-cash interest cost related to the aquistion of property, plant and equipment assets that are capitalized during the period.No definition available.false2Non-cash interest cost capitalized - property, plant and equipment35false 5spwr_CashInterestCostCapitalizedProjectAssetsPlantAndLandspwr_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse176000176000USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse271000271000USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse299000299000USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse549000549000USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCash interest cost related to the aquistion of project assets, ie plant and land, that are capitalized during the period.No definition available.false2Cash interest cost capitalized - project assets - plant and land36false 5spwr_NoncashInterestCostCapitalizedProjectAssetsPlantAndLandspwr_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse162000162000USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse217000217000USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse264000264000USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse448000448000USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNon-cash interest cost related to the aquistion of project assets, ie plant and land, that are capitalized during the period.No definition available.false2Non-cash interest cost capitalized - project assets - plant and land37false 5us-gaap_InterestExpenseus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTotalLabel1truefalsefalse-24870000-24870000USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-19400000-19400000USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-51904000-51904000USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse-38101000-38101000USD$falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Cost Method Investments42false 5us-gaap_CapitalLeasesLessorBalanceSheetNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeasesNoncurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse117234000117234000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse117234000117234000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse6774200067742000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net amount due after one year of the balance sheet date or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952072&loc=d3e45377-112738 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 13 -Paragraph 23 -Subparagraph a(i) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 false2Long-term debt issuance costs44false 5us-gaap_InvestmentsAndOtherNoncurrentAssetsus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse8806100088061000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse8806100088061000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse4137500041375000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of investments and other noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. 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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13495-108611 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Foreign currency derivatives49false 5us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualClassifiedCurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse91830009183000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse91830009183000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse90540009054000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers. 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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e7018-107765 false2Interest payable51false 5us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse2379600023796000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2379600023796000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse3250700032507000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, including sales, license fees, and royalties, but excluding interest income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6935-107765 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Section A -Paragraph 7, 8 -Chapter 3 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Deferred revenue52false 5us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse4128200041282000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4128200041282000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse4075000040750000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. 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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Embedded conversion option derivatives60false 5us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse117110000117110000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse117110000117110000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse107803000107803000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and due after one year (or beyond the operating cycle if longer) for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14394-108349 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Long-term warranty reserves61false 5us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse155929000155929000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse155929000155929000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse128936000128936000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe noncurrent portion of deferred revenue amount as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized, and is not expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. 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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Deferred revenue62false 5spwr_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncludingIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccruedspwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse3297500032975000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3297500032975000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse3502200035022000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryUnrecognized Tax Benefits, Including Income Tax Penalties and Interest AccruedNo definition available.false2Unrecognized tax benefits63false 5spwr_LongTermResidentialLeaseFinancingspwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse2196600021966000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2196600021966000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse1141100011411000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLong-term residential lease financingNo definition available.false2Long-term residential lease financing64false 5spwr_LongTermSaleLeasebackFinancingspwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse3310600033106000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3310600033106000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLong-term sale-leaseback financingNo definition available.false2Long-term sale-leaseback financing65false 5us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse6545500065455000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6545500065455000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse5012000050120000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. 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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 true2Accumulated other comprehensive loss73false 4spwr_ResidentialLeaseFinancingspwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse5070000050700000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5070000050700000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse3660000036600000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryResidential lease financingNo definition available.false2Residential lease financing74false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_us-gaap_EquipmentMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseEquipment [Member]us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquipmentMemberus-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Equipment [Member]75true 4us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Property, plant and equipment, net:76false 5spwr_CollateralizedEquipmentspwr_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse1810000018100000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1810000018100000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse1650000016500000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryEquipment that has been used by the company as collateral in order to provide security for advance payments from a third party.No definition available.false2Collateralized equipment77false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLeasehold Improvements [Member]us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMemberus-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Leasehold Improvements [Member]78true 4us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Property, plant and equipment, net:79false 5us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse228525000228525000USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse228525000228525000USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse221378000221378000USD$falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. 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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. true2Property, plant and equipment, net126false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse43false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_spwr_IfcMortgageLoanMember_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_us-gaap_MortgagesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseIFC Mortgage Loan [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_IfcMortgageLoanMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseMortgages [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgagesMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0IFC Mortgage Loan [Member] | Mortgages [Member]127true 4us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Property, plant and equipment, net:128false 5spwr_CollateralizedEquipmentspwr_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse161100000161100000USD$falsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse161100000161100000USD$falsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse152900000152900000USD$falsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryEquipment that has been used by the company as collateral in order to provide security for advance payments from a third party.No definition available.false2Collateralized equipment1Includes short-term finance receivables associated with solar power systems leased of $5.5 million and $4.5 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively.2Includes tolling agreements with suppliers in which the Company provides polysilicon required for silicon ingot manufacturing and procures the manufactured silicon ingots from the suppliers (see Notes 7 and 8).3The Company has related party balances in connection with transactions made with unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related party balances are recorded within the "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 4, Note 5, Note 7, and Note 8).4Total depreciation expense was $24.6 million and $48.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively and $29.3 million and $58.4 million for the three and six months ended July 1, 2012, respectively.5Property, plant and equipment, net are based on the physical location of the assets.6The Company's mortgage loan agreement with International Finance Corporation ("IFC") is collateralized by certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of $161.1 million and $152.9 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. 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