<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>466</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>551</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>147</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001001 - Document - Cover page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/Coverpage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001002 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002003 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004005 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005006 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006007 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101101 - Disclosure - Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104102 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A.</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSA</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A.</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114103 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121104 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134105 - Disclosure - Solar Services</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServices</Role>
      <ShortName>Solar Services</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2139106 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2145107 - Disclosure - Restructuring</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/Restructuring</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2150108 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2159109 - Disclosure - Equity Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2166110 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSources</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2173111 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2176112 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2178113 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/NetLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2182114 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2185115 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSATables</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSA</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315302 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322303 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2335304 - Disclosure - Solar Services (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServicesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Solar Services (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServices</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2340305 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346306 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RestructuringTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/Restructuring</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2351307 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2360308 - Disclosure - Equity Investments Equity Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsEquityInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments Equity Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2367309 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSources</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2374310 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2379311 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/NetLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/NetLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2383312 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2386313 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403401 - Disclosure - Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSANarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Supply Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSASupplyAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Supply Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Affiliation Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSAAffiliationAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Affiliation Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A.- 0.875% Debentures Due 2021 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSA0875DebenturesDue2021Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A.- 0.875% Debentures Due 2021 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - 4.00% Debentures Due 2023 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSA400DebenturesDue2023Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - 4.00% Debentures Due 2023 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411407 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Joint Solar Projects with Total and its Affiliates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSAJointSolarProjectswithTotalanditsAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Joint Solar Projects with Total and its Affiliates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412408 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSAScheduleofRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413409 - Disclosure - Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Revenue from Related Parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/TransactionswithTotalandTotalSARevenuefromRelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Revenue from Related Parties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416410 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersDisaggregationofRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417411 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Net Change in Estimate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNetChangeinEstimateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Net Change in Estimate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418412 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419413 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Performance Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersPerformanceObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Performance Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420414 - Disclosure - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423415 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsAccountsReceivableNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Receivable, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424416 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425417 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Allowance for Credit Losses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Allowance for Credit Losses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426418 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427419 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsPrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428420 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsPropertyPlantandEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429421 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Geography (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsPropertyPlantandEquipmentNetbyGeographyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Geography (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430422 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Other Long-term Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsOtherLongtermAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Other Long-term Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431423 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432424 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Other Long-term Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsOtherLongtermLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Other Long-term Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433425 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436426 - Disclosure - Solar Services - Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServicesOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Solar Services - Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437427 - Disclosure - Solar Services - Lease Payments to be Received (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServicesLeasePaymentstobeReceivedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Solar Services - Lease Payments to be Received (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438428 - Disclosure - Solar Services - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SolarServicesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Solar Services - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2441429 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442430 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Equity Method Investments Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsEquityMethodInvestmentsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Equity Method Investments Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443431 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Level 3 significant unobservable input sensitivity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsLevel3significantunobservableinputsensitivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Level 3 significant unobservable input sensitivity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2444432 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2447433 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RestructuringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RestructuringTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2448434 - Disclosure - Restructuring - Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RestructuringCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring - Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449435 - Disclosure - Restructuring - Rollforward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/RestructuringRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring - Rollforward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452436 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Facility and Equipment Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesFacilityandEquipmentLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Facility and Equipment Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453437 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesFutureMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Future Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454438 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesPurchaseCommitmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455439 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Advances to Suppliers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdvancestoSuppliersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Advances to Suppliers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456440 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Advances from Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdvancesfromCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Advances from Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2457441 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Product Warranties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesProductWarrantiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Product Warranties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2458442 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2461443 - Disclosure - Equity Investments - Equity Method Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments - Equity Method Investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2462444 - Disclosure - Equity Investments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2463445 - Disclosure - Equity Investments - SunStrong LLC (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsSunStrongLLCDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments - SunStrong LLC (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2464446 - Disclosure - Equity Investments - Consolidated VIEs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsConsolidatedVIEsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments - Consolidated VIEs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2465447 - Disclosure - Equity Investments - Related Party Transactions with Investees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/EquityInvestmentsRelatedPartyTransactionswithInvesteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Investments - Related Party Transactions with Investees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2468448 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesScheduleofDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2469449 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesScheduleofMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2470450 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Convertible Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesScheduleofConvertibleDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources - Schedule of Convertible Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2471451 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2472452 - Disclosure - Debt and Credit Sources - Non-recourse Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DebtandCreditSourcesNonrecourseDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Credit Sources - Non-recourse Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2475453 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2477454 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2480455 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per share Attributable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/NetLossPerShareCalculationofBasicandDilutedNetLosspershareAttributableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per share Attributable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2481456 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Anti-dilutive Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/NetLossPerShareAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Anti-dilutive Securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2484457 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2487458 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2488459 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationReconciliationofOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsfromSegmentstoConsolidatedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2489460 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segment Revenue to Condensed Consolidated GAAP Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationReconciliationofSegmentRevenuetoCondensedConsolidatedGAAPRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segment Revenue to Condensed Consolidated GAAP Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2490461 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit to Condensed Consolidated GAAP Gross Profit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationReconciliationofSegmentGrossProfittoCondensedConsolidatedGAAPGrossProfitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit to Condensed Consolidated GAAP Gross Profit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2491462 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segments EBITDA to Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated investees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationReconciliationofSegmentsEBITDAtoLossbeforeincometaxesandequityinearningslossesofunconsolidatedinvesteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segments EBITDA to Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated investees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="spwr-20200329.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2492463 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographical Information - Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sunpowercorp.com/role/SegmentandGeographicalInformationRevenuefromExternalCustomersbyGeographicAreasDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographical Information - Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="spwr-20200329.htm">spwr-20200329.htm</File>
    <File>ex101xspwr-totaldebent.htm</File>
    <File>ex311x03292020.htm</File>
    <File>ex312x03292020.htm</File>
    <File>ex321x03292020.htm</File>
    <File>spwr-20200329.xsd</File>
    <File>spwr-20200329_cal.xml</File>
    <File>spwr-20200329_def.xml</File>
    <File>spwr-20200329_lab.xml</File>
    <File>spwr-20200329_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>spwr-20200329_g1.gif</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
