Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of consideration received by subsidiary or equity investee in exchange for shares of stock issued or sold. Includes amount of cash received, fair value of noncash assets received, and fair value of liabilities assumed by the investor.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedPerTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of shares issued or sold by the subsidiary or equity method investee per stock transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company after stock transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockPercentageOfOwnershipAfterTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Per share amount received by subsidiary or equity investee for each share of common stock issued or sold in the stock transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=spwr_TotalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=spwr_TenderOfferAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: