2.4.0.82431402 - Disclosure - Equity Method Investments (Details)truefalseShare data in Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$I2013Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q4ahttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2012-12-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false truefalseI2013Q2_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_CcpvMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCCPV [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_CcpvMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli04false USDtruefalse$D2012Q4_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_DiamondEnergyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2012-10-01T00:00:002012-12-30T00:00:00falsefalseDiamond Energy [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_DiamondEnergyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170ratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$5false truefalseD2013Q2YTD_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_AuospMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2012-12-31T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseAUOSP [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_AuospMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli06false truefalseD2011Q4YTD_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2011-01-03T00:00:002012-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseWoongjin Energy [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0ratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli07false truefalseI2011Q2_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2011-07-03T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseWoongjin Energy [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMemberratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli08false truefalseI2010Q1SD_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_spwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2010-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseWoongjin Energy [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_WoongjinEnergyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli09false USDtruefalse$D2013Q2QTD_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2013-04-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseEquity Method Investee [Member]us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10false USDtruefalse$D2012Q2_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2012-04-02T00:00:002012-07-01T00:00:00falsefalseEquity Method Investee [Member]us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11false USDtruefalse$D2013Q2YTD_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2012-12-31T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseEquity Method Investee [Member]us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12false USDtruefalse$D2012Q2YTD_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773duration2012-01-02T00:00:002012-07-01T00:00:00falsefalseEquity Method Investee [Member]us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13false USDtruefalse$I2012Q4a_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2012-12-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseEquity Method Investee [Member]us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$14false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_spwr_FinanceeAxis_spwr_CcpvMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCCPV [Member]spwr_FinanceeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_CcpvMemberspwr_FinanceeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15false truefalseI2013Q2_spwr_FinanceeAxis_spwr_DiamondEnergyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDiamond Energy [Member]spwr_FinanceeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_DiamondEnergyMemberspwr_FinanceeAxisexplicitMemberratioStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli016false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_spwr_FinanceeAxis_spwr_AuospMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000867773instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAUOSP [Member]spwr_FinanceeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldispwr_AuospMemberspwr_FinanceeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]2false 4us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse112193000112193000USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse111516000111516000USD$falsetruefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.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 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16385135&loc=d3e33749-111570 false2Equity Method Investments3false 4spwr_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeAdditionalIssuanceOfSharesToInvestorsOutsideConsolidatedGroupspwr_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse1590000015.9falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:sharesItemTypesharesSubsidiary Or Equity Method Investee, Additional Issuance of Shares to Investors Outside the Consolidated GroupNo definition available.false1Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Additional Issuance of Shares to Investors Outside the Consolidated Group4false 4spwr_EquityMethodInvestmentSharesSoldspwr_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse1550000015.5falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:sharesItemTypesharesEquity Method Investment, Shares Sold.No definition available.false1Equity Method Investment, Shares Sold5false 4us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedPartiesus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse1205600012056000falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse1205600012056000falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13truefalsefalse1784700017847000falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor an unclassified balance sheet, amount of receivables arising from transactions with related parties.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph k -Subparagraph 1 -Article 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 57 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph d -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. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 3 -Article 7 false2Accounts receivable6false 4us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse400000400000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse700000700000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse5209000052090000falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse5209000052090000falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13truefalsefalse6346900063469000falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount for accounts payable to related parties.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph k -Subparagraph 1 -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 57 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph d -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. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 17 -Article 7 false2Accounts payable7false 4us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedPartyus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse107136000107136000falsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse149279000149279000falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse226079000226079000falsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse329267000329267000falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryExpenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 57 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph c -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 false2Payments made to joint ventures for products/services8false 4us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse30000003000000falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph b -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. false2Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments9false 4spwr_JointVentureEnergyOutputCommittedToPurchaseInYearsTwoThroughSevenspwr_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.800.80falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureJoint Venture, Energy Output Committed to Purchase in Years Two Through Seven.No definition available.false0Joint Venture, Energy Output Committed to Purchase in Years Two Through Seven10false 4spwr_FutureFinancingObligationspwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16truefalsefalse241000000241000000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of additional financing for future obligations as required by the agreement.No definition available.false2Future Financing Obligation11false 4spwr_PotentialAdditionalFinancingObligationIfRequestedByJointVenturespwr_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryPotential Additional Financing Obligation if Requested by Joint Venture.No definition available.false2Potential Additional Financing Obligation if Requested by Joint Venture12false 4spwr_FutureFinancingObligationsUponCloseOfJointVentureAgreementspwr_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14truefalsefalse1620000016200000falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFuture Financing Obligations Upon Close of Joint Venture AgreementNo definition available.false2Future Financing Obligations Upon Close of Joint Venture Agreement13false 4us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse18240001824000USD$falsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse18240001824000USD$falsetruefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13truefalsefalse10400001040000USD$falsetruefalse14falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAn amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date(s) more than one year from the balance sheet date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.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 210.5-02.17) -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 17 -Article 5 false2Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent14false 4spwr_LoanReceivableInterestRatespwr_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15truetruefalse0.010.01falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureLoan receivable, interest rateNo definition available.false0Loan receivable, interest rate15false 4us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.250.25falsefalsefalse4truetruefalse0.250.25falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.500.50falsefalsefalse6truetruefalse0.060.06falsefalsefalse7truetruefalse0.310.31falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse14falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse15falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse16falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureThe percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 18 -Subparagraph f -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a (1) -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. false0Equity Method Investment, Ownership PercentagefalseEquity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingHundredThousandsUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityMethodInvestmentsDetails1615