Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	SUNPOWER CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000867773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 191.5
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,395,743