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Transactions with Total and Total S.A. - Revenue from Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Revenue: \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Solar power systems, components, and other	$ 34,533	$ 6,641	$ 63,779	$ 12,684
Cost of revenue \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Solar power systems, components, and other	16,475	5,032	44,324	9,374
Research and development expense: \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	0	1,850	0
Credit Support Agreement \| Interest expense: \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 0	93	13	244
0.875% debentures due 2021
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gain on extinguishment of debt			$ 3,000
Interest rate	0.875%		0.875%			0.875%
0.875% debentures due 2021 \| Interest expense: \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 428	547	$ 832	1,094
4.00% debentures due 2023
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.00%		4.00%		4.00%
4.00% debentures due 2023 \| Interest expense: \| Total \| Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 1,998	$ 2,000