SPI Energy (SPIEF) 10-Q 15 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	15-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SOPW
Entity Registrant Name	Solar Power, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1210618
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		602,979,944

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(USD ($))	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$96,307	$156,540
Restricted cash	30,999	337
Bank deposits with maturity over three months	5,323	8,852
Short-term investments	27,424	27,354
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $766 and $766, respectively	23,089	22,654
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	85,075	73,742
Inventories, net	8,206	6,975
Project assets	107,354	73,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	38,527	10,930
Other receivable, related parties	4,723
Finance lease receivable	2,052
Total current assets	429,079	381,314
Intangible assets	517	560
Goodwill	67,462	66,045
Restricted cash, net of current portion		160
Accounts receivable, noncurrent	3,667	4,490
Notes receivable, noncurrent	6,611	6,611
Property, plant and equipment net	108,892	106,438
Project assets, noncurrent	32,014	21,265
Deferred tax assets, net	1,123	1,024
Financing receivable, noncurrent	107
Total assets	649,472	587,907
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	90,789	76,778
Accounts payable, related parties	30,667	34,150
Notes payable	46,814	26,707
Accrued liabilities	22,681	11,288
Income taxes payable	5,378	3,648
Advance from customers	18,951	17,690
Short term borrowings	61,637	48,286
Other current liabilities	29,512	33,762
Other current liabilities, related parties	934
Total current liabilities	307,363	252,309
Financing and capital lease obligations	9,956	10,092
Convertible bonds	32,987	32,575
Deferred tax liability, net	3,233	3,680
Other noncurrent liabilities	25,914	27,143
Total liabilities	379,453	325,799
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par $0.0001, 20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, par $0.0001, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 601,270,944 and 568,847,967 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	60	57
Additional paid in capital	380,739	327,573
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-13,291	-4,252
Accumulated deficit	-98,722	-61,270
Total stockholders' equity	268,786	262,108
Noncontrolling interests	1,233
Total equity	270,019	262,108
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$649,472	$587,907

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$766	$766
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	601,270,944	568,847,967
Common stock, shares outstanding	601,270,944	568,847,967

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales	$16,200	$3,613
Cost of goods sold:
Cost of goods sold	10,989	3,416
Gross profit	5,211	197
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	39,137	970
Sales, marketing and customer service	5,722	317
Total operating expenses	44,859	1,287
Operating loss	-39,648	-1,090
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-1,397	-122
Interest income	396	410
Others (includes net foreign exchange gain of $3,484 in 2015)	3,901	-30
Total other income, net	2,900	258
Loss before income taxes	-36,748	-832
Income tax expense	707
Net loss	-37,455	-832
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3
Net loss attributable to stockholders of the Company	($37,452)	($832)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and Diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.06)	$0
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing per share amounts:
Basic and Diluted (in Shares)	584,519,396	198,214,456

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Foreign exchange gain	$3,484

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	($37,455)	($832)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation loss arising during the period	-9,039	-144
Total comprehensive loss	-46,494	-976
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders of the Company	($46,491)	($976)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($37,455,000)	($832,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	681,000	263,000
Amortization	43,000	143,000
Stock-based compensation expense	32,902,000	215,000
Change in fair value of derivative liability	-11,000
Deferred income tax benefit	-32,000
Non-cash interest expense	751,000
Operating income from solar system subject to financing obligation	-135,000	-89,000
Other non-cash expense	461,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-979,000	524,000
Accounts receivable, related party		62,000
Finance lease receivable	-2,159,000
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	-11,333,000
Restricted cash related to operating activities	-30,582,000
Project assets	-33,424,000
Inventories	-1,232,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-25,173,000	-373,000
Accounts payable	13,986,000	-426,000
Accounts payable, related party	-3,484,000	-3,000
Note payable	20,107,000
Advances from customers	1,261,000
Income taxes payable	1,600,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts		-170,000
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities	-538,000	-8,000
Other liabilities, related party	50,000
Net cash used in operating activities	-74,695,000	-694,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from repayment of notes receivable	837,000
Issuance of notes receivable		79,000
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	-394,000
Acquisitions of project assets,	-10,749,000
Acquisitions of new subsidiaries, net of cash acquired	251,000
Acquisition of short-term investments	-25,810,000
Placement of bank deposit with maturity over three months	-5,323,000
Uplift of bank deposit with maturity over three months	8,852,000
Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments	25,810,000
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities	-6,526,000	79,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stocks	12,000,000
Proceeds from new short term borrowings	53,275,000
Decrease in restricted cash	80,000
Repayments of short term borrowings	-44,094,000
Net cash generated from financing activities	21,261,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-273,000	-144,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-60,233,000	-759,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	156,540,000	1,031,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	96,307,000	272,000
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	88,000	41,000
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Coupons issued to settle accounts payable	219,000
Common Stock Issued to Acquire New Subsidiaries [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock issued-Non cash activity	$8,072,000

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business
	Solar Power, Inc. (“SPI”) and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) is a provider of PV solutions for business, residential, government and utility customers and investors. The Company provides a full spectrum of EPC services to third party project developers, as well as develop, own and operate solar projects that sell electricity to the grid in multiple countries, including China, the U.S., the U.K., Panama, Greece, Japan and Italy.
	Prior to 2014, the Company was primarily engaged in providing EPC services to developers in the U.S. Since 2014, the Company commenced its global project development business by ramping up its portfolio of global solar projects, including projects that the Company intends to hold in the long term and derive electricity generation revenue.
	As of March 31, 2015, SPI’s major subsidiaries include Xinwei Solar Engineering and Construction (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Xinwei Suzhou”), Xinyu Xinwei New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Xinyu Xinwei”), Sinsin Renewable Investment Limited (“Sinsin”), Gonghe County Xinte Photovoltaic Co., Ltd. (“Xinte”), CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.) & Italsolar S.r.l (collectively as “CECEP”), Solarbao E-commerce (HK) Limited (“Solarbao E-commerce”), Jiangsu Solarbao Leasing Co. Ltd. (“Jiangsu Solarbao”), Yanhua Network Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Yanhua Network”), SPI Solar Japan G.K. and Solar Power Inc UK Service Limited.
	Xinwei Suzhou and Xinyu Xinwei were incorporated in the PRC in 2014 in connection with the expansion of the Company’s full spectrum EPC service business in the PRC. Sinsin and Xinte were acquired by the Company in 2014, and CECEP was acquired by the Company in 2015 (see Note 4), for ramping up its portfolio of global solar projects.
	Solarbao E-commerce, Jiangsu Solarbao and Yanhua Network were incorporated by the Company in 2015 for raising funds from individual investors and leasing of solar panels through an online platform owned by Solar Energy E-Commerce (Shanghai) Limited (“Solar Energy”). Solar Energy was incorporated in China on December 8, 2014 by Xiaofeng Peng (“Mr. Peng”), Min Xiahou and Jing Liu, who are the chairman of the Company’s board of directors, chief executive officer and chief financial controller of the Company respectively. Solar Energy operates the “www.solarbao.com” e-commerce and investment platform which primarily targets retail customers residing in the PRC. On March 26, 2015, the Company, through Yanhua Network, entered into a series of contractual arrangements (“VIE Agreements”) with Solar Energy and its shareholders. The contractual arrangements include power of attorney, call option agreement, equity pledge agreement, and a consulting services agreement as follows:
	Power of attorney: Solar Energy’s Nominee Equity Holders signed proxy agreement, with Yanhua Network to exclusively assign their rights as equity holders of Solar Energy to Yanhua Network, including voting right, right to transfer any or all equity interest in Solar Energy and right to appoint director and executive management. Solar Energy’s Nominee The proxy agreement will remain effective without any course. Solar Energy or its Nominee Equity Holders do not have the right to terminate the agreement unless Yanhua Network commits default.
	Call option agreement: Through the exclusive option agreement entered into among Yanhua Network, Solar Energy and its Nominee Equity Holders, Yanhua Network has an exclusive purchase option to acquire all of the equity interest or assets in Solar Energy from its Nominee Equity Holders at any time when permitted by applicable Chinese laws and regulations. Yanhua Network has the sole discretion as to when to exercise such options, either in part or in full. Without Yanhua Network’s prior written consent, Solar Energy’s Nominee Equity Holders shall not transfer their equity interests in Solar Energy, and Solar Energy shall not transfer its assets. The transfer price will be the minimum amount of consideration permitted under PRC law at the time of such share transfer. The agreement will remain effective until all of Solar Energy’s equity interest and assets are transferred to Yanhua Network. Yanhua Network may terminate the agreement at any time with a 30-day prior written notice to Solar Energy and its Nominee Equity Holders.
	Equity pledge agreement: To guarantee Solar Energy’s performance of its obligations under the exclusive consultancy and service agreement, the exclusive option agreement, and the shareholders’ voting rights proxy agreement, Solar Energy’s Nominee Equity Holders have pledged their entire equity interests in Solar Energy to Yanhua Network. The share pledge agreement can only be terminated upon the fulfillment of all obligation under the VIE Agreements.
	Consulting services agreement: Solar Energy irrevocably appoints and designates Yanhua Network as its exclusive service provider to provide services, including but not limited to relevant technical and consulting service to Solar Energy. The service fees are determined based on actual services provided by Yanhua Network and up to the net income of Solar Energy during the relevant period. The term of this agreement is 3 years, and the agreement may be automatically extended upon the expiration. Yanhua Network may terminate the agreement at any time with a three-month prior written notice to Solar Energy to terminate this agreement.
	As of the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has not established the legal enforceability of these contractual agreements described above including the registration of the equity pledge agreement in the relevant government bureau in the PRC. The financial results of Solar Energy are expected to be consolidated by the Company once the legal enforceability of the contractual agreements is established.
	Through the on-line platform of Solar Energy, the Company raised funds from individual investors on PV projects basis. For each fund raising PV project launched on the on-line platform, individual investors may subscribe the purchasing of solar module which will then be leased to the project developer of the PV project over a specified period. These PV projects may represent the Company’s self developed projects or third party developed projects, Although a tri-party lease agreement is signed among the individual investors, the Company and the project developer of the project launched, the purchase of any solar panels from vendors are solely contracted by the Company and the Company bears full credit risk in respect of the collection of the lease payments from project developers. The lock-up period for investment made by the individual investors for each fund raising project normally ranges from 0-720 days. Individual investors are guaranteed by the Company with an investment return for their investments, which ranges from an annual rate of 8% to 10.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and are guaranteed by the Company in respect of the repayment of funds at the end of the Investment Period. Solar Energy collects the funds provided by the individual investors and settles with the Company on a bi-weekly basis. For the service provided through the on-line platform, Solar Energy charged the Company commission fee based on 1% of the fund principal (see Note 22— Related Party Transactions). The interest bearing funds provided by individual investors to the Company are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as either short term or long term borrowings. Lease accounting is adopted for any solar panels purchased by the Company for leasing to third party project developers. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, all leases of solar module to third party developer under the above arrangement are classified as finance lease with the Company as lessor and third party project developer as lessee. Finance lease income of $3 was earned and recorded as interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	In connection with the launch of the above financing and leasing products, the Company issued coupons with total face value of $2,881 to third party vendors and two related parties during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. These coupons are freely transferrable between holders but could not be redeemed in cash. Each coupon has an expiry date for redemption. Prior to the expiry date, when the holders subscribe the purchasing and leasing of solar modules through the on-line platform owned by Solar Energy described above, the holders could redeem the coupons such that the purchase price to be paid would be reduced by the face value of the coupons. As of March 31, 2015, all coupons issued to these vendors and related parties had been redeemed. In respect of the coupons issued above, coupons totaling $219 were recorded as settlement of trade payable balances in the same amount as agreed with the corresponding third party vendors receiving the coupons. For the remaining amounts, the Company recognized other receivable due from third party vendors and a related party of $1,301 and $779, respectively, and recorded selling expenses of $582 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. They should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes to the financial statements of Solar Power, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 appearing in Solar Power, Inc.’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2015. The Company’s March 31, 2015 and 2014 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for smaller reporting companies and include the accounts of Solar Power, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
	Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company’s management believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications, necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been reflected herein. The Company’s financial position, operating results, cash flows and trends in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of future results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
	The preparation of unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements include: allowance made for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory write-downs, the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets, the impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and project assets, fair value of derivative liability, valuation allowance of deferred income tax assets, accrued warranty expenses, the grant-date fair value of share-based compensation awards and related forfeiture rates, and fair value of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters.
	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	These condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies for the three months ended March 31, 2015, except the adoption of ASC 840 Leasing for the Company’s new business as described in Note 1 Description of Business and Basis of Presentation, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	3. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has not determined which transition method it will adopt, and is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205- 40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement —Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225- 20), which eliminates the concept of reporting for extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation, which reduces the number of consolidation models and simplifies the current standard. Entities may no longer need to consolidate a legal entity in certain circumstances based solely on its fee arrangements when certain criteria are met. ASU 2015-02 reduces the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. ASU 2015-02 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company on a retrospective basis on January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, but only for debt issuance costs that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combination

Business Combination	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination	4. Business combination
	On January 15, 2015, SPI and SPI China (HK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPI, entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited (“CECEP HK”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, SPI China (HK) Limited agreed to purchase from CECEP HK 100% of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of (i) CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.), a limited liability company registered in Luxembourg, and (ii) Italsolar S.r.l., a limited liability company registered in Italy, (collectively as “CECEP”) owned by CECEP HK.
	Through its respective wholly and non-wholly owned subsidiaries in Italy, CECEP are engaged in the development, acquisition, management, and operation of energy projects and facilities dedicated to the production of alternative energy sources and the facilitation of the distribution, supply and sale of such alternative energy power, through four photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 4.3 MW in Italy.
	The purchase consideration of CECEP consists of cash and SPI’s common stock. In addition to the purchase considerations, the Company is also required to settle the borrowings in the amount of Euro 7,870 ($8,967) due to CECEP HK on behalf of CECEP (“Payable Settlement”). Including the Payable Settlement, the Company needed to settle cash of Euro 3,125 ($3,561) (“Cash Settlement”) and 5,722,977 shares of SPI’s common stock. The Cash Settlement was fully settled in the form of several installments in March and April 2015. The Stock Consideration was settled on January 30, 2015 by the Company, and the common stock was subject to a three-month lockup period as agreed in the Stock Purchase Agreement. The acquisition was consummated on February 16, 2015 upon completion of all closing conditions. As of March 31, 2015, $2,283 was recorded in other liabilities for the outstanding cash settlement in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The Company issued 5,722,977 shares of its Common Stock to CECEP HK on January 30, 2015. The fair value of the Stock Consideration was determined to be $8,269, which was based on the closing market price of SPI’s common stock on the acquisition date of February 16, 2015, with adjustments for the lockup period and other factors.
	The acquisition has been accounted for under ASC 805 Business Combinations. The Company made estimates and judgments in determining the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, based on management’s experiences with similar assets and liabilities with the assistance from an independent valuation firm. The allocation of the purchase price is as follows:
		USD
	Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,389
	Accounts receivable		394
	Other receivable		1,137
	Property, plant and equipment		11,041
	Deferred tax asset		180
	Accounts payable		(244	)
	Income tax payable		(130	)
	Other accrued liabilities		(1,234	)
	Loans payable		(884	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired (a)		11,649
	Consideration and Payment Settlement (b)		11,830
	Non-controlling interests (c)		1,236
	Goodwill (b+c- a)		1,417
	During the period from the acquisition date to March 31, 2015, the acquired subsidiary contributed revenue of $194 and earnings of $42 to the Company’s consolidated results.
	Goodwill primarily represents the expected synergies from combining operations of the Company and CECEP, which are complementary to each other, and any other intangible benefits that would accrue to the Company that do not qualify for separate recognition. The excess of purchase price over the identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	5. Restricted cash
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had restricted bank deposits of $30,999 and $337 respectively. The restricted bank deposits consist of a guarantee deposit of $30,919 and a reserve of $80. The $30,919 guarantee deposit is a reserve for bank acceptance drafts with maturity period from 1 to 6 months to suppliers issued by the Company. The $80 is reserve pursuant to our guarantees of Solar Tax Partners 1, LLC (“STP”) with the bank providing the debt financing on the Aerojet 1 solar generating facility (see Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies).

Shortterm_Investment

Short-term Investment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Short-term Investment	6. Short-term investment
	On November 13, 2014, the Company invested $8,066 (equivalent to RMB50,000) in a financial product managed by a bank in the PRC. The investment is not redeemable by the Company until its maturity date of May 14, 2015. The investment is principal protected with an estimated but not guaranteed return rate of 5% per annum. On January 27, 2015, the Company invested $4,839 (equivalent to RMB 30,000) in financial product managed by the same bank. The investment is principal protected with an estimated but not guaranteed return rate of 4% per annum and can be redeemed on demand. The investment was redeemed in full in March 2015.
	On November 24, 2014, the Company invested $19,358 (equivalent to RMB120,000) in a financial product managed by a bank in the PRC. Pursuant to the investment terms of this financial product, the investment is not redeemable by the Company until its maturity date of May 22, 2015. The investment is principal protected with an estimated but not guaranteed return rate of 4.5% per annum. As at December 31, 2014, this investment was pledged as security for a one-year short term loan of $5,646 (equivalent to RMB35,000) obtained from the same PRC bank on December 3, 2014. The pledge will be released upon the repayment of the short term loan. On January 27, 2015, the Company invested $20,971 (equivalent to RMB 130,000) in a financial product managed by the same bank with maturity period of 61 days and with estimated but not guaranteed return rate of 4% per annum. This financial product was redeemed on March 31, 2015.

Project_Assets

Project Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Project Assets	7. Project Assets
	As of March 31, 2015, project assets mainly consist of the SEF development across U.S.A., UK, Japan and the PRC, with the amount of $53,971 (2014: $48,520), $44,912 (2014: $14,000), $14,872 (2014: $12,826) and $25,613 (2014: 19,849) respectively.
	Project assets consist of the following:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Under development-Company as project owner		$	113,948	$	75,346
	Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction*			25,420		19,849
	Total project assets			139,368		95,195
	Current, net of impairment loss		$	107,354	$	73,930
	Noncurrent		$	32,014	$	21,265
	*	All of the projects costs under this category were recorded as project assets, noncurrent.
	Project assets under development-Company as project owner is primarily related to consist of the following projects:
	Solar Hub Utilities, LLC and Calwaii, LLC
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the project asset costs recorded and included in project held for development for these PV solar systems under the Calwaii’s projects amounted to $28,646 and $23,943.
	Pursuant to a sales agreement dated September 18, 2014, the Company agreed to sell four out of the thirty-nine PV solar systems of Calwaii’s project upon their completion of construction at a consideration of $5,850. The Company accounted for this sales transaction using the full accrual method under ASC 360-20, real estate accounting, and did not recognize any revenue and profit for this sales transaction for the three-month ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014 as certain closing conditions, including but not limited to grid connection specified in the sales agreement, had not been met.
	KDC Solar Mountain Creek Parent LLC (“LLC”)
	The carrying amount of this project amounted to $17,864, net of impairment of $2,055 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Pursuant to a letter of intent dated November 10, 2014 and a sales agreement dated December 31, 2014, the Company agreed to sell the PV solar systems of this project upon its completion of construction at a consideration of $17,864. Management assessed the recoverable amounts of this project asset and as a result the carrying amount of this project asset was written down to the recoverable amount by $2,055. The estimate of recoverable amount of this project asset was based on this asset’s fair value less costs of disposal, and the fair value was determined by reference to the quoted price from third party for this project asset. The Company accounted for this sales transaction using the full accrual method under ASC 360-20, real estate accounting, and did not recognize any revenue and profit for this sale transaction for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as certain closing conditions, including but not limited to grid connection as specified in the sales agreement, had not been met.
	Mauka FIT One LLC
	In January 2015, the Company acquired Mauka-Makai FIT LLC’s 100% membership interest in Mauka FIT One LLC (“Mauka”) in exchange for a consideration of $4,179 cash. Mauka’s total assets and liabilities only included land leasing rights and pre-contract cost related to one solar project of 4.2MW. Additionally, Mauka had not entered into any power generation contracts with any utilities companies. As a result, Management concluded that the acquisition of 100% managing member interest in Mauka did not meet the definition of a business combination as the primary inputs (the solar plant, which had yet to be constructed) were not available on the acquisition date. The Company has accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition. The net assets acquired were recognized at the Company’s cost of $4,179.

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	8. Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 primarily included a prepayment to supplier for the purchase of solar panels of $5,239 and nil, value-added tax recoverable of $8,156 and $3,969, a deposit of $4,839 (equivalent to RMB 30,000) and $4,827 (equivalent to RMB 30,000) paid to State Grid Corporation of China under an Acquisition Framework agreement dated October 22, 2014, and the deposit is not related to any specific entities’ acquisitions. This deposit would be refundable under certain circumstances pursuant to the Framework agreement.

Finance_Lease_Receivables

Finance Lease Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance Lease Receivables	9. Finance lease receivables
	The Company offers a solar project related products lease arrangement with PV project owners 10 years lease agreements, which are accounted for as direct financing leases.
	Finance lease receivables are as follows:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Minimum lease payments receivable	$	2,407		$	—
	Unearned income		(248	)		—
	Net finance lease receivables	$	2,159		$	—
	Current	$	2,052		$	—
	Noncurrent		107			—
	As at March 31, 2015, future maturities of minimum lease payments receivable are as follows:
		USD
	2015 (remaining nine months)	$	2,051
	2016		6
	2017		7
	2018		8
	2019		9
	Thereafter		78
		$	2,159

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	10. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar systems	$	113,189		$	110,553
	Plant and machinery		110			33
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		454			269
	Automobile		75			75
	Computers and software		1,463			1,296
	Leasehold improvements		4			4
			115,295			112,230
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(6,403	)		(5,792	)
		$	108,892		$	106,438
	The cost of PV solar system include costs of acquiring permits, construction fees of PV solar system, costs of items installed in the PV solar system including solar panels, and other costs incurred that are directly attributable to getting the PV solar system ready for its intended use of grid connection with customer for supply of electricity.
	In 2009, Solar Power, Inc. capitalized a PV solar system relating to the Aerojet 1 solar development project along with the associated financing obligation, recorded under financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to certain guarantee arrangements as disclosed in Note 19— Commitments and Contingencies, the Company will continue to record this PV solar system in property, plant and equipment with its associated financing obligation in Financing and capital lease obligations as long as it maintains its continuing involvement with this project. The income and expenses relating to the underlying operation of the Aerojet 1 solar development project are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	In addition, in connection with the acquisitions of Sinsin, Xinte and CECEP (see Note 4) in 2014 and 2015, eight, one and four completed photovoltaic plants located in Greece, China and Italy, respectively, were acquired by the Company, and recorded in the PV solar systems under Property, Plant and Equipment.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	11. Fair value measurement
	As discussed in Note 7— Project Assets, the Company issued contingent consideration as part of a transaction to acquire assets from HPL in September 2014. The Company issued the third party $3,300 to be paid with shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share equal to $1.10 or 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to an adjustment which indicates that if the dollar volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the Company’s Common Stock is less than $1.00 per share for the five trading days prior to March 30, 2015, then the Company shall issue HPL additional shares of Common Stock so that the total number of shares issued by the Company under the agreement multiplied by the five day VWAP will have a value of at least $3,000 on March 30, 2015. The contingent consideration meets the definition of a derivative and the Company has recorded the fair value of such derivative as a derivative liability which is included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 and the change in fair value was recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This derivative was expired on March 30, 2015.
	In arriving at fair-value estimates, the Company utilizes the most observable inputs available for the valuation technique employed. If a fair-value measurement reflects inputs at multiple levels within the fair value hierarchy, the fair-value measurement is characterized based upon the lowest level input. For the Company, recurring fair-value measurements are performed for the derivative liability.
	The derivative liability is recognized in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liability are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company does not have any derivative liabilities that reduce risk associated with hedging exposure and has not designated the derivative liability as a hedge instrument.
	The Company did not have any derivatives valued using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair values and corresponding classifications under the appropriate levels of the fair value hierarchy of the outstanding derivative liability recorded as recurring liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of the following:
		Level			March 31,			December 31,
					2015			2014
	Included in other current liabilities: Derivative liability		3		$	—		$	11
	The following table presents quantitative information for Level 3 measurements:
		Fair value at			Valuation		Unobservable
		December 31,			technique		input
		2014
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	$	11		Black-Scholes option		Prevailing interest rates, Company’s stock price volatility, expected term
					pricing model
	There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 categories.
	Financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy represents the derivative liability in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. The following table represents a reconciliation of activity for the derivative liability in order to arrive at the current derivative liability recorded at fair value as of March 31, 2015:
	Derivative Liability
	Opening balance – December 31, 2014	$	11
	Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements		—
	Transfers into and (or) out of Level 3		—
	Change in fair value		(11	)
	Closing balance – March 31, 2015	$	—
	Change in fair value of $11 is recorded as fair value change of derivative liability under other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	There were no assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	For financial instruments that are not required to be measured at fair value, the following method and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and payable, short term investments, bank deposits with maturity over three months, accrued liabilities, advance from customers and other current liabilities –costs approximates fair value because of the short maturity period.
	Notes receivable, current, Notes receivable, noncurrent - The fair value of Notes receivable, current were based on anticipated cash flows, which approximates carrying value, and were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of Notes receivable, noncurrent were classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company used multiple techniques, including an income approach applying discounted cash flows approach, to measure the fair value using Level 3 inputs; the results of each technique have been reasonably weighted based upon management’s judgment applying qualitative considerations to determine the fair value at the measurement date. The fair value of notes receivable is determined to approximate its carrying value.
	Convertible bonds. The estimated fair value was $40,551 and $39,423 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of convertible bonds was classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determines the fair value using binomial model with significant input on prices and votes observable in the market.
	Short term borrowings. The carrying amount approximates fair due to the short maturity and their variable market rates of interest that change with current Prime and no change in counterparty credit risk and were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Other noncurrent liabilities. The Company used discounted cash flow approach to determine the fair value, which was classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of other noncurrent liabilities is determined to approximate its carrying value.

Short_Term_Borrowings

Short Term Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short Term Borrowings	12. Short term borrowings
	On December 3, 2014, the Company and China Minsheng Bank (“CMB”) entered into a Loan agreement, whereby CMB provided the Company a loan of $ 5,646 (equivalent to RMB35,000) at an interest rate of 5.88% per annum, which would mature on December 3, 2015. The Company pledged its bank financing product (included in the “Short-term investment”) issued by CMB of $19,358 (equivalent to RMB120,000) as collateral. After the bank financing product matures on May 22, 2015, the cash will be transferred into the Company’s bank account and CMB still keeps custody of this account until the repayment of the loan by the Company.
	On December 29, 2014, the Company and Bank of Suzhou (“BOS”) entered into a loan agreement, whereby BOS provided the Company a loan of $ 32,181 (equivalent to RMB200,000) at an interest rate of 7% per annum, which was repaid in February 2015.
	On December 31, 2014, the Company and CMB entered into a loan agreement, whereby CMB provided the Company a loan of $ 9,654 (equivalent to RMB60,000) at an interest rate of 5.6% per annum, which was repaid in advance in January 2015.
	On March 31, 2015, the Company and CMB entered into a Loan agreement, whereby CMB provided the Company a loan of $48,395 (equivalent to RMB300,000) at an interest of 5.6% per annum, which will mature on September 30, 2015.
	As discussed in Note 1— Description of Business and Basis of Presentation, the Company received $8,619 (RMB53,429) from the individual investors through Solar Energy’s online platform during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 at fixed interest rates ranging from 8.0% to 10.3% per annum. The funds received from these investors were used in purchasing of solar panels for SPI’s self-owned and third party developed PV projects at the investors’ choices. The investors could withdraw their principle on their demand after 0 to 720 days from the date of their initial investment.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	13. Other liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Derivative liability		—		11
	Other current liabilities		29,512		33,751
	Total other current liabilities		29,512		33,762
	Other non-current liabilities		24,309		25,535
	Accrued warranty reserve		1,605		1,608
	Total other non-current liabilities		25,914		27,143
	Total of other liabilities		55,426		60,905
	Other liability – current portion mainly represented the liability for acquisition of Sinsin, Xinte and CECEP of $22,700, $3,710 and $2,283 (see Note 4) respectively and non-current portion mainly represented the liability for acquisition of Sinsin.

Stock_Option

Stock Option	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Stock Option	14. Stock option
	On February 15, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of a warrant agreement for Cathay General Bancorp to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.75 per share related to the credit facility entered into with Cathay Bank for an original aggregate principal amount of $9,000. The fair value of $0.29 per share was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model. Assumptions used in calculating fair value were as follows: a risk free interest rate of 0.38%, expected volatility of 103%, zero expected dividend yield, and an expected term of 3 years. The warrant is exercisable anytime for an exercise price of $0.75 per share before its expiration. This warrant expired on February 15, 2015.
	On December 12 and 15, 2014, the Company grants warrants to Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky to purchase from the Company a total of 27,500,000 common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $55,000 or $2 per share. 20,000,000 shares of option granted to Union Sky expired on March 15, 2015, the remaining 7,500,000 shares of option could be exercised on or prior to the date of completion of the listing of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, pursuant to the terms of the option agreement and subject to the closing conditions therein.
	On December 15, 2014, the Company entered into an option agreement with Forwin International Financial Holding Limited (Hong Kong) (“Forwin”), whereby the Company agreed to grant Forwin an option to purchase a total of 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.0 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000, prior to March 15, 2015. This option expired on March 15, 2015.
	On December 15, 2014, the Company entered into an option agreement with Border Dragon Limited (“Boarder Dragon”), whereby the Company agreed to grant Border Dragon an option to purchase a total of 2,500,000 Shares at an exercise price of $2.0 per Share for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000, prior to March 15, 2015. This option expired on March 15, 2015.
	On January 22, 2015, the Company entered into an option agreement with Central Able Investments Limited (“Central Able”), whereby the Company agreed to grant Central Able an option to purchase a total of 2,500,000 Shares at an exercise price of $2.0 per Share for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000, prior to April 22, 2015. The option expired on April 22, 2015.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	15. Stockholders’ Equity
	Issuance of common stock
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 250,000,000 shares to 1,000,000,000 shares. The following table summarizes the Company’s issuance of common stock during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015:
	Purchasers		Securities sold	Date of securities	Consideration
				issued
	Forwin International Financial		5,000,000 Shares	16-Jan-15	$10,000, or $2 per Share
	Central Able Investment Limited		2,500,000 Shares	30-Jan-15	$5,000, or $2 per Share
	CECEP HK		5,722,9771 Shares	30-Jan-15	$8,269
	Restricted Stocks, Exercised		18,700,000 Shares2	2-Mar-15	Nil
	Restricted Stocks, Exercised		500,000 Shares2	26-Mar-15	Nil
	Note:
	1	On January 30, 2015, the Company issued 5,722,977 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of CECEP as described in Note 4—Business combination.
	2	On March 2, 2015 and March 26, 2015, the Company issued Restricted Stock underlying 19,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain management members, which were exercised in March 2015.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	16. Stock-based Compensation
	The Company measures stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards based on the grant-date fair value and recognizes the cost in the financial statements over the employee requisite service period.
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense, by type of awards for the periods as follow (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Employee stock options	$	1,751			215
	Restricted stock grants		31,151		$	—
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	32,902		$	215
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation by line item for the periods as follow (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	General and administrative	$	32,890		$	210
	Sales, marketing and customer service		12			5
	Total stock-based compensation expense		32,902			215
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense		—			—
	Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes	$	32,902		$	215
	Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Determining Fair Value
	Valuation and Amortization Method — The Company estimates the fair value of service-based and performance-based stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. In the case of performance-based stock options, amortization does not begin until it is determined that meeting the performance criteria is probable. Service-based and performance-based options typically have a five to ten year life from date of grant and vesting periods of three to four years.
	Expected Term — The Company’s expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. For awards granted subject only to service vesting requirements, the Company utilizes the simplified method for estimating the expected term of the stock-based award, instead of historical exercise data. For its performance-based awards, the Company has determined the expected term life to be five years based on contractual life and the seniority of the recipient.
	Expected Volatility —The Company uses historical volatility of the price of its common shares to calculate the volatility for its granted options.
	Expected Dividend — The Company has never paid dividends on its common shares and currently does not intend to do so, and accordingly, the dividend yield percentage is zero for all periods.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate — The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes valuation model upon the implied yield curve currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term used as the assumption in the model.
	There were no new grants or awards issued during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes model for stock option grants during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		For the Three
		Months Ended
		March 31, 2015
	Expected term					4
	Risk-free interest rate		1.68	%		—			2.24	%
	Expected volatility		141	%		—			142	%
	Expected dividend yield					0	%
	Equity Incentive Plan
	On November 15, 2006, subject to approval of the stockholders, the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which permits the Company to grant stock options to directors, officers or employees of the Company or others to purchase shares of common stock of the Company through awards of incentive and nonqualified stock options (“Option”), stock (“Restricted Stock” or “Unrestricted Stock”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). The Plan was approved by the stockholders on February 7, 2007.
	The Company has granted time-based share options and restricted stock under the Plan to directors, officers, employees and individual consultants of the Company. The time-based options generally vest 25% annually and expire three to ten years from the date of grant. Total number of shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this Plan is equal to 9% of the number of outstanding shares of the Company. Shares issued under the Plan will be drawn from authorized and unissued shares or shares now held or subsequently acquired by the Company. Outstanding shares of the Company shall, for purposes of such calculation, include the number of shares of stock into which other securities or instruments issued by the Company are currently convertible (e.g., convertible preferred stock, convertible debentures, or warrants for Common Stock), but not outstanding options to acquire stock. At March 31, 2015 there were 1,335,374 shares available for grant under the plan (9% of the outstanding shares of 601,270,944 less options and restricted stock outstanding and exercised since inception).
	The exercise price of any Option will be determined by the Company when the Option is granted and may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, and the exercise price of any incentive stock option granted to a stockholder with a 10% or greater shareholding will not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. The exercise price per share of a SAR will be determined by the Company at the time of grant, but will in no event be less than the fair market value of a share of Company’s stock on the date of grant.
	On January 12, 2015 and February 23, 2015, the Board of Directors approved the grants of restricted stock unit awards (“RSU”) to core management members, other management and staff, pursuant to the terms of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The total number of RSUs granted is 20,384,000 shares. Among these, the vesting schedules for the chairman, CEO and CFO (“core management”) are 100% vested at the grant date and the vesting schedules for the rest RSUs granted to other management and staff would be vested within the next four years equally. The Company used the market price of its share at grant date as the fair value of the RSUs in calculating the stock based compensation expense. The core management exercised all RSUs of 19,200,000 and all these shares were issued to them in 2015 March (See Note 15).
	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015						2014
		Shares			Weighted-			Shares			Weighted-
					Average						Average
					Exercise						Exercise
					Price Per						Price Per
					Share						Share
	Outstanding as of January 1,		25,429,000		$	0.84			7,114,250		$	0.2
	Granted		8,682,000			1.83			—			—
	Exercised		—			—			—			—
	Forfeited		(490,000	)		2.09			(559,250	)		0.29
	Outstanding as of March 31,		33,621,000		$	1.08			6,555,000		$	0.19
	The following table presents the exercise price and remaining life information about options exercisable at March 31, 2015:
	Range of exercise price	Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Exercisable			average			average			Intrinsic
					remaining			exercise			$0
					contractual			price
					life
	$0.51 - $1.24		200,000			4.76		$	1.24		$	184
	$0.30 - $0.50		792,000			1.07			0.48			1,331
	$0.05 - $0.29		500,000			3.39			0.05			1,055
			1,492,000			2.34		$	0.44		$	2,570
	Changes in the Company’s non-vested stock awards are summarized as follows:
		Time-based Options						Restricted Stock
		Shares			Weighted			Shares			Weighted
					Average						Average
					Exercise						Grant Date
Price					Fair Value
Per Share					Per Share
Non-vested as of January 1, 2015		23,937,000			0.84			525,000		$	0.75
Granted		8,682,000			1.83			20,384,000			1.66
Vested		—			—			(19,200,000	)		1.67
Forfeited		(490,000	)		2.09			—			—
Non-vested as of March 31, 2015		32,129,000			1.09			1,709,000		$	1.66

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	17. Income Taxes
	The Company calculates its interim income tax provision in accordance with ASC 740-270 —Income Taxes. At the end of each interim period, the Company estimates the annual effective tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary quarterly earnings. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect, is recognized in the interim period in which those items occur. The Company evaluates its ability to recover deferred tax assets, in full or in part, by considering all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income on a jurisdictional basis. The Company bases its estimate of current and deferred taxes on the tax laws and rates that are currently in effect in the appropriate jurisdiction. Changes in laws or rates may affect the tax provision as well as the amount of deferred tax assets or liabilities.
	The effective income tax rate of the Company for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was (1.9)% and (0.0)%, respectively. For both 2015 and 2014, the Company expects to generate taxable income in certain jurisdictions while still experiencing an overall worldwide loss.
	The Company and its subsidiaries did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company does not anticipate that its unrecognized tax benefits or liability position will change significantly over the next twelve months.

Net_Loss_Per_Share_of_Common_S

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock	18. Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock
	Basic loss per share is computed by dividing income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution of shares by adding other Common Stock equivalents, including Common Stock options, warrants, and restricted Common Stock, in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for a period, if dilutive. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. As a result of the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there is no dilutive impact to the net loss per share calculation for the period.
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share:
		March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to stockholders	$	(37,452	)	$	(832	)
	Denominator:
	Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares		584,519			198,214
	Basic net loss per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)
	Diluted net loss per share		(0.06	)		(0.00	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	19. Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	Guarantee — on December 22, 2009, in connection with an equity funding of STP related to the Aerojet 1 solar development project, the Company along with STP’s other investors entered into a Guaranty (“Guaranty”) to provide the equity investor, Greystone Renewable Energy Equity Fund (“Greystone”), with certain guarantees, in part, to secure investment funds necessary to facilitate STP’s payment to the Company under the EPC. Specific guarantees made by Solar Power, Inc. include the following in the event of the other investors’ failure to perform under the operating agreement:
		•		Operating Deficit Loans — the Company would be required to loan Master Tenant or STP monies necessary to fund operations to the extent costs could not be covered by Master Tenant’s or STP’s cash inflows. The loan would be subordinated to other liabilities of the entity and earn no interest; and
		•		Exercise of Put Options —At the option of Greystone, the Company may be required to fund the purchase by Managing Member of Greystone’s interest in Master Tenant under an option exercisable for 9 months following a 63 month period commencing with operations of the Facility. The purchase price would be equal to the greater of the fair value of Greystone’s equity interest in Master Tenant or $1,000. This option has been exercised on December 30, 2014 and this guarantee has been released accordingly.
	The Company has recorded on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet the guarantees of $67 and $71 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These amounts, less related amortization, are included in accrued liabilities. These guarantees for the Aerojet 1 project are accounted for separately from the financing obligation related to the Aerojet 1 project because they are with different counterparties.
	Financing Obligation — the guarantees associated with Aerojet 1 constitute a continuing involvement in the project. While the Company maintains its continuing involvement, it will apply the financing method and, therefore, has recorded and classified the proceeds received of $10,775 and $10,911 from the project in financing and capital lease obligations. At March 31, 2015 and December 31 2014, $9,956 and $10,092, respectively, were recorded as noncurrent Financing and capital lease obligations, with $819 recorded as other current liabilities.
	Performance Guaranty —on December 18, 2009, the Company entered into a 10-year energy output guaranty related to the photovoltaic system installed for STP at the Aerojet 1 facility in Rancho Cordova, CA. The guaranty provided for compensation to STP’s system lessee for shortfalls in production related to the design and operation of the system, but excluding shortfalls outside the Company’s control such as government regulation. The Company believes that the probability of shortfalls is unlikely and if they should occur they would be covered under the provisions of its current panel and equipment warranty provisions. At March 31, 2015 and December 31 2014, there continues to be no charges against the Company’s reserves related to this performance guaranty.
	Product Warranties —The Company offer the industry standard warranty up to 25 years for its PV panels and industry standard five to ten years on inverter and balance of system components. Due to the warranty period, the Company bear the risk of extensive warranty claims long after the Company has shipped product and recognized revenue. In the Company’s cable, wire and mechanical assemblies business, the Company’s historically warranty claims have not been material. In the Company’s solar PV business, the greatest warranty exposure is in the form of product replacement.
	During the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company installed own manufactured solar panels. Other than this period, the Company only installed panels manufactured by unrelated third parties as well as the Company’s principal shareholder and formerly controlling shareholder, LDK. Certain PV construction contracts entered into during the recent years included provisions under which the Company agreed to provide warranties to the buyer. As a result, the Company recorded the provision for the estimated warranty exposure on these contracts within cost of sales. Since the Company do not have sufficient historical data to estimate its exposure, the Company have looked to its own historical data in combination with historical data reported by other solar system installers and manufacturers. Due to the absence of historical material warranty claims, the Company have not recorded a material warranty accrual related to solar energy systems as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Operating leases — The Company leases facilities under various operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses, which expire through 2017. The Company also leases vehicles under operating leases. Rental expenses under operating leases included in the statement of operations were both $436 and $66 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Future minimum payments under all of our non-cancelable operating leases are as follows as of March 31, 2015:
	2015(remaining nine months)		$	1,495
	2016			1,791
	2017			1,393
	Thereafter			10,398
			$	15,077
	Capital commitments — As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s commitments to acquire the business and property, plant and equipment approximately $56,468 and $59,354 associated with the expansion of the Company’s PV solar systems business.
	Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is involved in various other legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business. While the Company cannot predict the occurrence or outcome of these proceedings with certainty, it does not believe that an adverse result in any pending legal or regulatory proceeding, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to our consolidated financial condition or cash flows; however, an unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for a specific interim period or year.

Concentrations_of_Credit_Risk_

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers	20. Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers
	A substantial percentage of the Company’s net revenue comes from sales made to a small number of customers to whom sales are typically made on an open account basis. Details of customers accounting for 10% or more of total net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		2015					2014
				% of Total					% of Total
	Customer	Revenue		Revenue			Revenue		Revenue
	Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd.		8,370		52	%		—		—
	Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd.		4,665		29	%		—		—
	KDC Solar Credit LS, LLC		—		—			3,185		89	%
		$	13,035		81	%	$	3,185		89	%
	Details of customers accounting for 10% or more of total accounts receivable, net, notes receivable, and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively are:
		2015					2014
	Customer			% of Total					% of Total
	Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd.		38,629		32	%		28,751		27	%
	Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd.		31,243		26	%		27,008		25	%
	Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd.		24,840		21	%		24,776		23	%
		$	94,712		79	%	$	80,535		75	%

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	21. Segment information
	Operating segments are defined as components of a company which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the client operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Chairman, Mr. Xiaofeng Peng. Based on the financial information presented to and reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, the Company has determined that it has a single operating and reporting segment: solar energy products and services. The types of products and services in this single segment primarily include: (i) project development for sales or service revenue under PPAs, (ii) EPC services, (iii) operating and maintenance (“O&M”) services, (iv) residential PV systems.
	Net sales by major product and services for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:
			2015		2014
	EPC revenue		$	13,035	$	3,185
	Service revenue with PPAs			2,999		302
	O&M services revenue			—		126
	Residential PV systems			161		—
	Others			5		—
			$	16,200	$	3,613
	Net sales by geographic location are as follows:
	Location (a)		2015		2014
	United States		$	399	$	3,613
	Greece			1,490		—
	Italy			194		—
	Japan			24		—
	China			14,093		—
			$	16,200	$	3,613
	(a)	Sales are attributed to countries based on location of customer.
	Geographic information, which is based upon physical location, for long-lived assets including Property, plant and equipment and Project assets, noncurrent was as follows:
	Location		March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	United States		$	16,121	$	11,630
	Greece			60,454		68,708
	China			52,507		46,872
	Japan			1,492		493
	Italy			10,332		—
			$	140,906	$	127,703

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	22. Related Party Transactions
	During the period ended March 31, 2015, the total fund received from individual investors through Solar Energy amounted to $8,778, of which $4,759 has been received by the Company from Solar Energy as of March 31, 2015 and Solar Energy charged $87 as commission fee to the Company at 1% of the fund principal as discussed in Note 1— Description of Business and Basis of Presentation. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had other receivable amounted to $3,932 and nil from Solar Energy for the fund received from the individual investors on behalf of the Company by Solar Energy after the reduction of its commission fee.
	During the period ended March 31, 2015, the total fund redeemed to individual investors through Solar Energy amounted to $3,035, of which $2,151 has been repaid by the Company to Solar Energy as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had Other liabilities, related party amounted to $884 and nil to Solar Energy for the fund repaid to the individual investors on behalf of the Company by Solar Energy.
	During the three-months period ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued certain coupons to Jiangxi LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. (“LDK Jiangxi”) and Suzhou Liuxin Industry Ltd. (“Liuxin”) with total face value of $779 and $582, respectively. LDK Jiangxi is a wholly owned subsidiary of LDK Solar Co., Ltd., principle shareholder of SPI. Liuxin is wholly owned by Mr. Peng’s father. As of March 31, 2015, all coupons issued to these parties had been redeemed through the on-line platform owned by Solar Energy. The Company recognized the coupons issued to LDK Jiangxi and Liuxin, based on the face value of the coupons, in other receivable, related parties in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and selling, marketing and customer service expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, respectively.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid commission fee of $3 million to SUPERMERCY Limited (“SUPERMERCY”) in respect of certain funds raised by the Company through the issuance of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to a client introducing agreement entered with SUPERMERCY on September 10, 2014, the Company agreed to pay SUPERMERCY commission at 3% of funds successfully raised by the Company that had been resulted from the services rendered by SUPERMERCY. The commission fee was direct costs incurred for the issuance of common stock and was recognized as a deduction from the additional paid in capital in the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had other liabilities amounted to $884 and nil due to Solar Energy for the repayment to the individual investors on behalf of the Company.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had prepaid $12 and $nil to LDK’s supplier for the purchase deposit on behalf of LDK.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company owed to LDK of $50 and $nil as LDK made salary payment to certain employees on behalf of the Company, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had accounts payable to LDK of $30,667 and $34,150, respectively, primarily related to purchases of solar panels for solar development projects. The solar panels purchased from LDK during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $1,480 and nil, respectively.
	On December 30, 2014, the Company entered into a Settlement and Mutual Release with its principal shareholder, LDK, pursuant to which LDK HK agreed to release and discharge the Company from all actions, claims, demands, damages, obligations, liabilities, controversies and executions arising out of the Company’s payables to LDK HK and its subsidiaries, in exchange for an aggregate settlement amount of $11,000. Payables of $32,680 net against receivables of $3,905, amounting to payable of $28,775, as of December 30, 2014, were subject to such agreement. Under the Agreements, LDK and the Company agreed to settle the outstanding payables according to a predetermined payment schedule. However, LDK has the right to cancel all discount if any installment payment delayed for more than 30 days. Therefore, the Company did not derecognize the waived liability of $17,775 from its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014, considering the payment has not been fully settled. Subsequently, $4,380 was paid as of March 31, 2015, according to the predetermined payment schedule. Excluding liability of $17,775 to be waived under condition, the remaining payable of $12,892 and $16,375 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively is still subject to previously agreed payment term.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	23. Subsequent Events
	On March 31,2015, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SPI China (HK) Limited entered into a share purchase agreement with third parties whereby SPI China (HK) Limited agreed to purchase 80% of the equity interest in Solar Juice Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary company limited by shares, for an aggregate consideration of approximately $25,500. The consideration is proposed to be paid by the Company’s Common Stock, the number of which is to be determined with reference to the five-day average trading price of the Company’s Common Stock prior to the closing of the agreement. Solar Juice distributes solar kits that include PV modules, balance-of-system components, solar monitoring systems and inverters, to retail or corporate customers in Australia and Southeast Asia.
	On March 31, 2015, the Company entered into a membership interest purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the interest in the holding company of MW 6.02 solar projects known as “Aerojet” in Rancho Cordova, California from (i) William Hedden, as Trustee of the William H. Hedden and Sandra L. Hedden Trust, (ii) Stephen C. Kircher, the chief strategy officer of SPI, as Trustee of the Kircher Family Irrevocable Trust dated December 29, 2004, and (iii) Steven Kay (collectively, the “Sellers”). In consideration of the purchase and sale described above, the Company will issue to the Sellers on the closing date of the transaction preferred membership interests in a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to be formed pursuant to a limited liability company agreement, the terms and conditions of which will be negotiated and agreed to between the Company and the Sellers. The acquisition is subject to several closing conditions including completion of satisfactory due diligence.
	On April 15, 2015, SPI Solar Japan G.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a interest sale and purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the interest in approximately MW 30 of solar PV projects in Japan from Re Capital K.K., a subsidiary of China-based China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation, for an aggregate consideration of US$8,800,000, including (i) US$3,300,000 by cash and (ii) US$5,500,000 by equivalent value of shares of common stock of the Company. The acquisition is subject to several closing conditions.
	On April 17, 2015, the Company and ZBB Energy Corporation (“ZBB”), a Wisconsin corporation, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which ZBB will issue and sell to the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $33,390,000 a total of (i) 8,000,000 shares (the “Purchased Common Shares”) of ZBB’s common stock and (ii) 28,048 shares (the “Purchased Preferred Shares”) of the ZBB’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. The aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Common Shares was based on a purchase price per share of $0.6678 and the aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Preferred Shares was determined based on price of $0.6678 per common equivalent. The transaction is subject to various closing conditions including obtaining the approval of ZBB’s shareholders.
	In April, 2015 Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. (“Realforce”) entered into a sales-leaseback arrangements under which solar modules and other equipment related to the rooftop PV solar system of 5.25 MW sold to Jiangsu Solarbao Leasing Co. Ltd., at an amount of $5,646, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and subsequently leased back by Realforce over lease term of 10 years at a fixed interest rate of 10% per annum. The sole shareholder pledged its 100% shares of Realforce to Jiangsu Solarbao to secure its obligations due to the Company.
	On May 4, 2015, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Yes Yield Investments Limited (“Yes Yield”), a company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, whereby the Company agreed to issue, and Yes Yield agreed to purchase a total of 9,260,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,002,000. The Company also entered into an option agreement with Yes Yield, whereby the Company agreed to grant Yes Yield options to purchase from the Company a total of 9,260,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,002,000, exercisable within seven months from the date of May 4, 2015. The option has not been exercised as of the date of the issuance of these financial statements.
	On May 11, 2015, SPI Energy Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company’s filed a registration statement on Form F-4 in connection with seeking shareholder consent for the approval of a certain agreement and plan of reorganization and related redomicile of the Company to the Cayman Islands.

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. They should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes to the financial statements of Solar Power, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 appearing in Solar Power, Inc.’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2015. The Company’s March 31, 2015 and 2014 unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for smaller reporting companies and include the accounts of Solar Power, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
	Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company’s management believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications, necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been reflected herein. The Company’s financial position, operating results, cash flows and trends in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of future results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
	The preparation of unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements include: allowance made for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory write-downs, the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets, the impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and project assets, fair value of derivative liability, valuation allowance of deferred income tax assets, accrued warranty expenses, the grant-date fair value of share-based compensation awards and related forfeiture rates, and fair value of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters.
	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has not determined which transition method it will adopt, and is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205- 40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement —Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225- 20), which eliminates the concept of reporting for extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation, which reduces the number of consolidation models and simplifies the current standard. Entities may no longer need to consolidate a legal entity in certain circumstances based solely on its fee arrangements when certain criteria are met. ASU 2015-02 reduces the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. ASU 2015-02 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company on a retrospective basis on January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, but only for debt issuance costs that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combination_Tables

Business Combination (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
		USD
	Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,389
	Accounts receivable		394
	Other receivable		1,137
	Property, plant and equipment		11,041
	Deferred tax asset		180
	Accounts payable		(244	)
	Income tax payable		(130	)
	Other accrued liabilities		(1,234	)
	Loans payable		(884	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired (a)		11,649
	Consideration and Payment Settlement (b)		11,830
	Non-controlling interests (c)		1,236
	Goodwill (b+c- a)		1,417

Project_Assets_Tables

Project Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Under development-Company as project owner	$	113,948	$	75,346
	Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction*		25,420		19,849
	Total project assets		139,368		95,195
	Current, net of impairment loss	$	107,354	$	73,930
	Noncurrent	$	32,014	$	21,265

Finance_Lease_Receivables_Tabl

Finance Lease Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Finance Lease Receivable
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Minimum lease payments receivable	$	2,407		$	—
	Unearned income		(248	)		—
	Net finance lease receivables	$	2,159		$	—
	Current	$	2,052		$	—
	Noncurrent		107			—
Schedule of Future Maturities of Minimum Lease Payments Receivable
		USD
	2015 (remaining nine months)	$	2,051
	2016		6
	2017		7
	2018		8
	2019		9
	Thereafter		78
		$	2,159

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar systems	$	113,189		$	110,553
	Plant and machinery		110			33
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		454			269
	Automobile		75			75
	Computers and software		1,463			1,296
	Leasehold improvements		4			4
			115,295			112,230
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(6,403	)		(5,792	)
		$	108,892		$	106,438

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
		Level			March 31,			December 31,
					2015			2014
	Included in other current liabilities: Derivative liability		3		$	—		$	11
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information
		Fair value at			Valuation		Unobservable
		December 31,			technique		input
		2014
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	$	11		Black-Scholes option		Prevailing interest rates, Company’s stock price volatility, expected term
					pricing model
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation
	Derivative Liability
	Opening balance – December 31, 2014	$	11
	Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements		—
	Transfers into and (or) out of Level 3		—
	Change in fair value		(11	)
	Closing balance – March 31, 2015	$	—

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Derivative liability		—		11
	Other current liabilities		29,512		33,751
	Total other current liabilities		29,512		33,762
	Other non-current liabilities		24,309		25,535
	Accrued warranty reserve		1,605		1,608
	Total other non-current liabilities		25,914		27,143
	Total of other liabilities		55,426		60,905

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Common Stock Issuance
	Purchasers		Securities sold	Date of securities	Consideration
				issued
	Forwin International Financial		5,000,000 Shares	16-Jan-15	$10,000, or $2 per Share
	Central Able Investment Limited		2,500,000 Shares	30-Jan-15	$5,000, or $2 per Share
	CECEP HK		5,722,9771 Shares	30-Jan-15	$8,269
	Restricted Stocks, Exercised		18,700,000 Shares2	2-Mar-15	Nil
	Restricted Stocks, Exercised		500,000 Shares2	26-Mar-15	Nil
	Note:
	1	On January 30, 2015, the Company issued 5,722,977 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of CECEP as described in Note 4—Business combination.
	2	On March 2, 2015 and March 26, 2015, the Company issued Restricted Stock underlying 19,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain management members, which were exercised in March 2015.

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense, by type of awards for the periods as follow (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Employee stock options	$	1,751			215
	Restricted stock grants		31,151		$	—
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	32,902		$	215
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation by line item for the periods as follow (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	General and administrative	$	32,890		$	210
	Sales, marketing and customer service		12			5
	Total stock-based compensation expense		32,902			215
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense		—			—
	Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes	$	32,902		$	215
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	Assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes model for stock option grants during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		For the Three
		Months Ended
		March 31, 2015
	Expected term					4
	Risk-free interest rate		1.68	%		—			2.24	%
	Expected volatility		141	%		—			142	%
	Expected dividend yield					0	%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015						2014
		Shares			Weighted-			Shares			Weighted-
					Average						Average
					Exercise						Exercise
					Price Per						Price Per
					Share						Share
	Outstanding as of January 1,		25,429,000		$	0.84			7,114,250		$	0.2
	Granted		8,682,000			1.83			—			—
	Exercised		—			—			—			—
	Forfeited		(490,000	)		2.09			(559,250	)		0.29
	Outstanding as of March 31,		33,621,000		$	1.08			6,555,000		$	0.19
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range	The following table presents the exercise price and remaining life information about options exercisable at March 31, 2015:
	Range of exercise price	Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Exercisable			average			average			Intrinsic
					remaining			exercise			$0
					contractual			price
					life
	$0.51 - $1.24		200,000			4.76		$	1.24		$	184
	$0.30 - $0.50		792,000			1.07			0.48			1,331
	$0.05 - $0.29		500,000			3.39			0.05			1,055
			1,492,000			2.34		$	0.44		$	2,570
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity	Changes in the Company’s non-vested stock awards are summarized as follows:
		Time-based Options						Restricted Stock
		Shares			Weighted			Shares			Weighted
					Average						Average
					Exercise						Grant Date
					Price						Fair Value
					Per Share						Per Share
	Non-vested as of January 1, 2015		23,937,000			0.84			525,000		$	0.75
	Granted		8,682,000			1.83			20,384,000			1.66
	Vested		—			—			(19,200,000	)		1.67
	Forfeited		(490,000	)		2.09			—			—
	Non-vested as of March 31, 2015		32,129,000			1.09			1,709,000		$	1.66

Net_Loss_Per_Share_of_Common_S1

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
		March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to stockholders	$	(37,452	)	$	(832	)
	Denominator:
	Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares		584,519			198,214
	Basic net loss per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)
	Diluted net loss per share		(0.06	)		(0.00	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases
	2015(remaining nine months)	$	1,495
	2016		1,791
	2017		1,393
	Thereafter		10,398
		$	15,077

Concentrations_of_Credit_Risk_1

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor
		2015					2014
				% of Total					% of Total
	Customer	Revenue		Revenue			Revenue		Revenue
	Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd.		8,370		52	%		—		—
	Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd.		4,665		29	%		—		—
	KDC Solar Credit LS, LLC		—		—			3,185		89	%
		$	13,035		81	%	$	3,185		89	%
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor
		2015					2014
	Customer			% of Total					% of Total
	Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd.		38,629		32	%		28,751		27	%
	Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd.		31,243		26	%		27,008		25	%
	Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd.		24,840		21	%		24,776		23	%
		$	94,712		79	%	$	80,535		75	%

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated
		2015		2014
	EPC revenue	$	13,035	$	3,185
	Service revenue with PPAs		2,999		302
	O&M services revenue		—		126
	Residential PV systems		161		—
	Others		5		—
		$	16,200	$	3,613
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area
	Location (a)	2015		2014
	United States	$	399	$	3,613
	Greece		1,490		—
	Italy		194		—
	Japan		24		—
	China		14,093		—
		$	16,200	$	3,613
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets Including Property, Plant and Equipment and Project Assets, Noncurrent in Individual Foreign Countries by Country
	Location	March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	United States	$	16,121	$	11,630
	Greece		60,454		68,708
	China		52,507		46,872
	Japan		1,492		493
	Italy		10,332		—
		$	140,906	$	127,703

Description_of_Business_and_Ba2

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
	Parties
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons face value	$2,881
Number of related parties	2
Coupons issued to settle trade payable	219
Consulting Services Agreement [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Agreement termination notice period	3 months
Agreement term	3 years
Selling Expenses [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued and recorded expenses	582
Call Option Agreement [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Agreement termination notice period	30 days
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee	1.00%
Lease income earned	3
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Lock-up period for investment	0 days
Annual rate of return on investment	8.00%
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Lock-up period for investment	720 days
Annual rate of return on investment	10.30%
Third Party Vendors [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued and recognized other receivable	1,301
Related Party [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued and recognized other receivable	$779

Business_Combination_Additiona

Business Combination - Additional Information (Detail)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 16, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Jan. 15, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
	CECEP [Member]	CECEP [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]	CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]
	USD ($)	MWh	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)		Other Current Liabilities [Member]
		Plant						USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired							100.00%
Number of Photovoltaic Plants		4
Power Generating Capacity (in Megawatt-hours)		4.3
Payable settlement due to CECEP HK on behalf of CECEP					$8,967,000	€ 7,870,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			3,561,000	3,125,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)			5,722,977	5,722,977
Business Combination Cash Paid and Accounts Payable Total			3,561,000	3,125,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities								2,283,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Accounts Payable to be Paid to Former Owner					8,269,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	194,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$42,000

Business_Combinations_Allocati

Business Combinations - Allocation of Purchase Price (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill (b+c- a)	$67,462,000	$66,045,000
CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.) [Member]
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents	1,389,000
Accounts receivable	394,000
Other receivable	1,137,000
Property, plant and equipment	11,041,000
Deferred tax asset	180,000
Accounts payable	-244,000
Income tax payable	-130,000
Other accrued liabilities	-1,234,000
Loans payable	-884,000
Identifiable net assets acquired	11,649,000
Consideration and Payment Settlement (b)	11,830,000
Non-controlling interests (c)	1,236,000
Goodwill (b+c- a)	$1,417,000

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits Assets, Current	30,999	$337
Solar Tax Partners 1, LLC [Member] | Guarantee Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits Assets, Current	30,919
Solar Tax Partners 1, LLC [Member] | Reserve [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits Assets, Current	80
Minimum [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Maturity period of guarantee deposit	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Maturity period of guarantee deposit	6 months

Shortterm_Investments_Addition

Short-term Investments - Additional Information (Detail)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 27, 2015

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 13, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 13, 2014

Nov. 13, 2014

Jan. 27, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

61 Days maturity [Member]

61 Days maturity [Member]

61 Days maturity [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Short-term investments

$27,424

$4,839

30,000

$27,354

$19,358

120,000

$8,066

50,000

$20,971

130,000

Short-term Investment, Estimated Rate of Return

4.00%

4.50%

5.00%

4.00%

Short-term Debt

$61,637

$48,286

$5,646

35,000

Short term investment maturity period

61 days

Project_Assets_Additional_Info

Project Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 18, 2014
	MWh
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Project assets		$107,354,000	$73,930,000
Calwaii [Member]
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue				5,850,000
Project asset cost held for development		28,646,000	23,943,000
Mauka Makai FIT LLC [Member]
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Percentage of Membership Interest Acquired	100.00%
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets	4,179,000
Power Generating Capacity (in Megawatt-hours)	4.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		4,179,000
UNITED STATES
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Project assets		53,971,000	48,520,000
UNITED KINGDOM
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Project assets		44,912,000	14,000,000
JAPAN
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Project assets		14,872,000	12,826,000
CHINA
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Project assets		25,613,000	19,849,000
Mountain Creek Project [Member]
Schedule of Project Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration			17,864,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue		0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Gross Profit (Loss)		0
Loss on Contracts			2,055,000
Carrying amount of net of impairment		17,864,000	17,864,000
Impairment on project		$2,055,000	$2,055,000

Project_Assets_Summary_of_Proj

Project Assets - Summary of Project Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Project Assets [Abstract]
Under development-Company as project owner	$113,948		$75,346
Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction	25,420	[1]	19,849	[1]
Total project assets	139,368		95,195
Current, net of impairment loss	107,354		73,930
Noncurrent	32,014		21,265
Total project assets	$139,368		$95,195
[1]	All of the projects costs under this category were recorded as project assets, noncurrent.

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Solar Panels [Member]	Solar Panels [Member]	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
			USD ($)	USD ($)	State Grid Corporation Of China [Member]	State Grid Corporation Of China [Member]	State Grid Corporation Of China [Member]	State Grid Corporation Of China [Member]
					USD ($)	CNY	USD ($)	CNY
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$38,527,000	$10,930,000	$5,239,000	$0
Value-added tax recoverable			8,156,000	3,969,000
Deposit Assets					$4,839,000	30,000,000	$4,827,000	30,000,000

Finance_Lease_Receivables_Addi

Finance Lease Receivables - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Lease agreement term	10 years

Finance_Lease_Receivables_Sche

Finance Lease Receivables - Schedule of Finance Lease Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net financial receivables:
Minimum lease payments receivable	$2,407
Unearned income	-248
Net finance lease receivables	2,159
Current	2,052
Noncurrent	107
Net finance lease receivables	$2,159

Finance_Lease_Receivables_Sche1

Finance Lease Receivables - Schedule of Future Maturities of Minimum Lease Payments Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Net [Abstract]
2015 (remaining nine months)	$2,051
2016	6
2017	7
2018	8
2019	9
Thereafter	78
Net finance lease receivables	$2,159

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_P

Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$115,295	$112,230
Less: accumulated depreciation	-6,403	-5,792
Property plant and equipment, net	108,892	106,438
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	113,189	110,553
Plant and Machinery [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	110	33
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	454	269
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	75	75
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	1,463	1,296
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$4	$4

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Plant
GREECE
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of Completed Photovoltaic Plants	8
CHINA
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of Completed Photovoltaic Plants	1
ITALY
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of Completed Photovoltaic Plants	4

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	500,000	18,700,000
Derivative expiration date			30-Mar-15
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring			$0		$0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring			0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Change in fair value			11,000
Common Stock [Member] | Common Stock for Construction in Progress Assets [Member] | HPL [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Stock Issued				3,300,000
Share Price				$1.10
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				3,000,000
Stock Issuance, Adjustment Threshold, Volume Weighted Average Price				$1
Stock Issuance, Adjustment Threshold trading days				5
Stock, Issuance, Minimum Value				3,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures			$40,551,000		$39,423,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Fair_Va

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value of Derivative Liability (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details Fair Value Of Derivative Liability [Line Items]
Included in other current liabilities: Derivative liability	$11
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement Details Fair Value Of Derivative Liability [Line Items]
Included in other current liabilities: Derivative liability	$11

Fair_Value_Measurement_Summary

Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Quantitative Information of Level 3 Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$11
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$11
Derivative liability	Black-Scholes option pricing model

Fair_Value_Measurement_Reconci

Fair Value Measurement - Reconciliation of Derivative Liability Activity (Detail) (Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Opening balance - December 31, 2014	$11
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements	0
Transfers into and (or) out of Level 3	0
Change in fair value	-11
Closing balance - March 31, 2015

Short_Term_Borrowings_Addition

Short Term Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail)

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 29, 2014

Dec. 29, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 03, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

Bank of Suzhou [Member]

Bank of Suzhou [Member]

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member]

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member]

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member]

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member]

Loan One [Member]

Loan One [Member]

Loan One [Member]

Loan One [Member]

Loan Two [Member]

Loan Two [Member]

Loan Three [Member]

Loan Three [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

China Minsheng Bank [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

Short-term Investments [Member]

Short-term Investments [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

Schedule of Loans Payable (Details) [Line Items]

Short-term Debt

$61,637

$48,286

$5,646

35,000

$32,181

200,000

$5,646

35,000

$9,654

60,000

$48,395

300,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.00%

7.00%

5.88%

5.88%

5.60%

5.60%

5.60%

5.60%

Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount

19,358

120,000

Fund received from individual investors

$8,619

53,429

Debt instrument fixed interest rate

8.00%

10.30%

Withdrawal period of principal amount

0 years

720 days

Other_Liabilities_Summary_of_O

Other Liabilities - Summary of Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary Of Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability		$11
Other current liabilities	29,512	33,751
Total other current liabilities	29,512	33,762
Other non-current liabilities	24,309	25,535
Accrued warranty reserve	1,605	1,608
Total other non-current liabilities	25,914	27,143
Total of other liabilities	$55,426	$60,905

Other_Liabilities_Additional_I

Other Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sinsin Renewable Investment Limited [Member]
Schedule of Other Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current	$22,700
Xinte [Member]
Schedule of Other Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current	3,710
CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]
Schedule of Other Liabilities (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current	$2,283

Stock_Option_Additional_Inform

Stock Option - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 15, 2015	Dec. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 22, 2015	Dec. 12, 2014	Feb. 15, 2012
Union Sky [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Expirations	20,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	7,500,000
Forwin [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)		$10,000
Options expiration date			15-Mar-15
Cathay Bank [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit (in Dollars)						9,000
Border Dragon [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)		5,000
Options expiration date			15-Mar-15
Central Able [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)				5,000
Options expiration date			22-Apr-15
Common Stock [Member] | Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights					27,500,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)					$2
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)					$55,000
Common Stock [Member] | Forwin [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights		5,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)		$2
Common Stock [Member] | Cathay Bank [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights						300,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)						0.75
Class of Warrant or Right Fair Valued Price Per Share (in Dollars per share)						0.29
Common Stock [Member] | Border Dragon [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights		2,500,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)		$2
Common Stock [Member] | Central Able [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights				2,500,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)				$2
Warrants [Member] | Cathay Bank [Member]
Schedule of Stockoption Details [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate						0.38%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate						103.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate						0.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term						3 years

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000	250,000,000

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Common Stock Issuances (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 16, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details Summary of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold	500,000	18,700,000
Consideration (in Dollars)			$12,000,000
Forwin [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details Summary of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold				5,000,000
Consideration (in Dollars)				10,000,000
Consideration (in Dollars per share)				$2
Central Able [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details Summary of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold					2,500,000
Consideration (in Dollars)					5,000,000
Consideration (in Dollars per share)					$2
CECEP [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details Summary of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold					5,722,977
Consideration (in Dollars)					$8,269,000

Stockholders_Equity_Additional1

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Parenthetical) (Detail)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Common Stock [Member] | CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	5,722,977
Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock exercised during period, shares		19,200,000

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense, by Type of Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$32,902	$215
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,751	215
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$31,151

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock-based Compensation by Line Item (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$32,902	$215
Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes	32,902	215
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	32,890	210
Sales, Marketing and Customer Service [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$12	$5

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		2 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 23, 2015
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Number of awards issued		0
Number of new grants		0
Shares, Outstanding (in Shares)	601,270,944
2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Reserved Share, Percentage of Outstanding Shares	9.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in Shares)	1,335,374
Performance Shares [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	5 years
Time Based Options [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	25.00%
Total number of shares granted	8,682,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Total number of shares granted			20,384,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Core Management [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Vesting percentage at grant date			100.00%
Stock exercised during period, shares	19,200,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Other Management and Staff [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			4 years
Minimum [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Time Based Options [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Time Based Options [Member]
Note 16 Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years

Stockbased_Compensation_Assump

Stock-based Compensation - Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Share-based Payment Awards (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Details Fair Value of Share Based Payment Awards [Line Items]
Expected term	4 years
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Details Fair Value of Share Based Payment Awards [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.68%
Expected volatility	141.00%
Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Details Fair Value of Share Based Payment Awards [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	2.24%
Expected volatility	142.00%

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Stock Option Activities [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price per share	$0.20		$0.84
Shares	7,114,250		25,429,000
Shares granted	0
Shares			25,429,000
Weighted average exercise price per share			$0.84
Three Months Ended March [Member]
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Stock Option Activities [Line Items]
Shares granted		8,682,000
Shares exercised	0	0
Shares forfeited	-559,250	-490,000
Shares	6,555,000	33,621,000
Weighted average exercise price per share, granted		$1.83
Weighted average exercise price per share, exercised	$0	$0
Weighted average exercise price per share, forfeited	$0.29	$2.09
Weighted average exercise price per share	$0.19	$1.08

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar3

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Exercise Price and Remaining Life Information about Options Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares exercisable (in Shares)	1,492,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	2 years 4 months 2 days
Weighted average exercise price	$0.44
Intrinsic value (in Dollars)	$2,570
Price Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price	$0.51
Upper exercise price	$1.24
Shares exercisable (in Shares)	200,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	4 years 9 months 4 days
Weighted average exercise price	$1.24
Intrinsic value (in Dollars)	184
Price Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price	$0.30
Upper exercise price	$0.50
Shares exercisable (in Shares)	792,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	1 year 26 days
Weighted average exercise price	$0.48
Intrinsic value (in Dollars)	1,331
Price Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price	$0.05
Upper exercise price	$0.29
Shares exercisable (in Shares)	500,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 4 months 21 days
Weighted average exercise price	$0.05
Intrinsic value (in Dollars)	$1,055

Stockbased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-based Compensation - Schedule of Changes in Nonvested Stock Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Time Based Options [Member]
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Non Vested Stock Awards [Line Items]
Non-vested shares	23,937,000
Shares granted	8,682,000
Shares forfeited	-490,000
Non-vested shares	32,129,000
Weighted average exercise price, non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$0.84
Weighted average exercise price, granted (in Dollars per share)	$1.83
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$2.09
Weighted average exercise price, non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$1.09
Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Non Vested Stock Awards [Line Items]
Non-vested shares	525,000
Shares granted	20,384,000
Shares vested	-19,200,000
Non-vested shares	1,709,000
Weighted average exercise price, non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$0.75
Weighted average exercise price, granted (in Dollars per share)	$1.66
Weighted average exercise price, vested (in Dollars per share)	$1.67
Weighted average exercise price, non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$1.66

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	1.90%	0.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$0		$0

Net_Loss_Per_Share_of_Common_S2

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to stockholders	($37,452)	($832)
Denominator:
Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares	584,519,396	198,214,456
Basic net loss per share	($0.06)	$0
Diluted net loss per share	($0.06)	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Financing and capital lease obligations non current	$9,956,000		$10,092,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	436,000	66,000
Solar Modules [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Warranty Term	25 years
Inverter and balance of system components [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Warranty Term	5 years
Inverter and balance of system components [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Warranty Term	10 years
Solar Energy Systems [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Product Warranty Accrual	0		0
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	56,468,000		59,354,000
Aerojet1 Project [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Guarantees, Fair Value Disclosure	67,000		71,000
Aerojet1 Project [Member] | Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Financing and capital lease obligations total	10,775,000		10,911,000
Financing and capital lease obligations non current	9,956,000		10,092,000
Financing and capital lease obligations recorded as other current liabilities	819,000		819,000
Greystone [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount	$1,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015(remaining nine months)	$1,495
2016	1,791
2017	1,393
Thereafter	10,398
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$15,077

Concentrations_of_Credit_Risk_2

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers - Revenue (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$16,200	$3,613
Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	13,035	3,185
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	8,370
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	4,665
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | KDC Solar Credit LS, LLC [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue		$3,185
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue	81.00%	89.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue	52.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue	29.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | KDC Solar Credit LS, LLC [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue		89.00%

Concentrations_of_Credit_Risk_3

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers - Receivables (Detail) (Accounts Receivable [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Receivables	94,712	80,535
Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Receivables	38,629	28,751
Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Receivables	31,243	27,008
Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Receivables	24,840	24,776
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Receivables	79.00%	75.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Zhongwei Hanky Wiye Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Receivables	32.00%	27.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Alxa League Zhiwei Photovoltaic Power Generation Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Receivables	26.00%	25.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Receivables	21.00%	23.00%

Segment_Information_Net_Sales_

Segment Information - Net Sales by Major Product and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$16,200	$3,613
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	13,035	3,185
Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	2,999	302
Operating and Maintenance (O&M) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue		126
Residential PhotoVoltaic Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	161
Other Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$5

Segment_Information_Net_Sales_1

Segment Information - Net Sales by Geographic Location (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	$16,200	$3,613
UNITED STATES
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	399	3,613
GREECE
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	1,490
ITALY
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	194
JAPAN
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	24
CHINA
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Net sales	$14,093

Segment_Information_Longlived_

Segment Information - Long-lived Assets Including Property, Plant and Equipment and Project Assets Noncurrent by Geographic Location (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$140,906	$127,703
UNITED STATES
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	16,121	11,630
GREECE
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	60,454	68,708
CHINA
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	52,507	46,872
JAPAN
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,492	493
ITALY
Schedule of Segmentinformation Details Net Salesby Geographic Location [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$10,332

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Face value of coupons issued	$2,881,000
Other liabilities, related party	934,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, related party	4,723,000
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current	30,667,000			34,150,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Face value of coupons issued	779,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, related party	12,000			0
Due to employees	50,000			0
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current	30,667,000			34,150,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Solar Panels [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	1,480,000	0
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Settlement and Mutual Release [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current	12,892,000		32,680,000	16,375,000
Debt Settlement, Waiver Offered Amount			11,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current			3,905,000
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Net			28,775,000
Number of Days to Cancel Discount			30 days
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	4,380,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Settlement and Mutual Release Accounts Payable Waivable [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current				17,775,000
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Total fund received from individual investors	8,778,000
Total fund received from related party	4,759,000
Other receivables from related party	3,932,000			0
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee	1.00%
Commission fee	87,000
Total fund redeemed to individual investors	3,035,000
Payment to related party	2,151,000
Other liabilities, related party	884,000			0
Suzhou Liuxin Industry Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Face value of coupons issued	582,000
SUPERMERCY Limited [Member]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee	3.00%
Commission fee	$3,000

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015	Apr. 15, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
					MWh		MWh
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in Shares)	500,000	18,700,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)			$0.00					$0.00
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			$12,000,000
Jiangsu Solarbao Leasing Co. Ltd. [Member] | Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sales-leaseback, lease description			In April, 2015 Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. (bRealforceb) entered into a sales-leaseback arrangements under which solar modules and other equipment related to the rooftop PV solar system of 5.25 MW sold to Jiangsu Solarbao Leasing Co. Ltd., at an amount of $5,646, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and subsequently leased back by Realforce over lease term of 10 years at a fixed interest rate of 10% per annum. The sole shareholder pledged its 100% shares of Realforce to Jiangsu Solarbao to secure its obligations due to the Company.
Subsequent Event [Member] | Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in Shares)				9,260,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)				$0.00
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues				25,002,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member] | Option Agreement Not Exercised [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)				$0.00
Stock Issued During Period Shares Option Agreement (in Shares)				9,260,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				25,002,000
Exercisable period				7 months
Subsequent Event [Member] | Jiangsu Solarbao Leasing Co. Ltd. [Member] | Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred					5,646,000
Power Generating Capacity (in Megawatt-hours)					5.25
Sales-leaseback, lease term					10 years
Sales-leaseback, fixed interest rate					10.00%
Percentage of shares pledged to secure obligations					100.00%
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired			80.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred			25,500,000
Aerojet [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired			100.00%
Power Generating Capacity (in Megawatt-hours)			6.02
ZBB Energy Corporation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						33,390,000
ZBB Energy Corporation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Series C Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)						28,048
Share Price (in Dollars per share)						$0.67
ZBB Energy Corporation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)						8,000,000
Share Price (in Dollars per share)						$0.67
SPI Solar Japan GK [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired							100.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred							8,800,000
Power Generating Capacity (in Megawatt-hours)							30
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross							3,300,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable							$5,500,000