Segment and Geographical Information - Reconciliation of Segments EBITDA to Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated investees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ (514)	$ (100,448)
Mark-to-market gain on equity investments	49,152	33,000
Construction revenue on solar services contracts	449,190	348,225
Loss on sale and impairment of residential lease assets	(289)	(9,226)
Stock-based compensation	6,867	5,666
Restructuring (charges) credits	1,576	(665)
Non-cash interest expense	1,910	2,415
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees	245	1,680
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(707)	(14,841)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	7,129	(22,411)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Legacy utility and power plant projects	207	171
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss on sale and impairment of residential lease assets	722	(8,313)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Legacy utility and power plant projects	34	(116)
Business process improvements	(2,464)	0
Legacy sale-leaseback transactions	(20)	(4,911)
Mark-to-market gain on equity investments	47,871	33,000
Cost of above-market polysilicon	(10,043)	(49,428)
Stock-based compensation	(6,867)	(5,666)
Amortization of intangible assets	(1,786)	(1,786)
Gain on business divestiture	0	6,114
Transaction-related costs	(481)	(1,422)
Litigation	(321)	0
Business reorganization costs	(6,193)	(2,649)
Restructuring (charges) credits	(1,576)	665
Gain on convertible notes repurchased	2,956	0
Non-cash interest expense	0	(10)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees	(245)	(1,680)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(707)	(14,841)
Cash interest expense, net of interest income	(10,133)	(10,206)
Depreciation and amortization	(15,896)	(19,181)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments \| Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	2,241	(1,347)
Service
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Construction revenue on solar services contracts	(4,735)	3,740
Service \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Construction revenue on solar services contracts	$ (5,392)	$ (63,505)

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Business Resegmentation Costs

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Cash Interest Expense, Net of Interest Income

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Profit, Utility and Power Plant Projects

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Sale-leaseback transaction

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This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of noncash expense for share-based payment arrangement.

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