SPI Energy (SPIEF) 10-Q 13 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 13, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SOPW
Entity Registrant Name	Solar Power, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,210,618
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		627,817,718

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 67,460	$ 156,540
Restricted cash	29,959	337
Bank deposits with maturity over three months		8,852
Short-term investments		27,354
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,586 and $766, respectively	63,390	22,654
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	64,633	73,742
Notes receivable	820
Inventories, net	22,959	6,975
Project assets	101,687	73,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	49,401	10,930
Other receivable, related parties	2,543
Finance lease receivable	11,758
Other current assets	427	1,288
Total current assets	415,037	381,314
Intangible assets	4,795	560
Goodwill	75,969	66,045
Restricted cash, net of current portion		160
Accounts receivable, noncurrent	7,236	4,490
Notes receivable, noncurrent	6,611	6,611
Property, plant and equipment net	114,970	106,438
Project assets, noncurrent	68,415	21,265
Derivative asset	6,154
Investment in affiliates	15,792
Deferred tax assets, net	1,156	1,024
Finance lease receivable, noncurrent	10,824
Total assets	726,959	587,907
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	113,692	76,778
Accounts payable, related parties	5,480	34,150
Notes payable	25,003	26,707
Accrued liabilities	27,141	11,288
Income taxes payable	3,840	3,648
Advance from customers	23,045	17,690
Short term borrowings	104,648	48,286
Convertible bonds	53,579
Other current liabilities, related parties	486
Other current liabilities	53,466	33,762
Total current liabilities	410,380	252,309
Financing and capital lease obligations	8,948	10,092
Convertible bonds		32,575
Deferred tax liability, net	5,025	3,680
Other noncurrent liabilities	7,022	27,143
Total liabilities	$ 431,375	$ 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; 627,792,718 and 568,847,967 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	$ 63	$ 57
Additional paid in capital	448,488	327,573
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,956)	(4,252)
Accumulated deficit	(143,701)	(61,270)
Total stockholders' equity	291,894	262,108
Noncontrolling interests	3,690
Total equity	295,584	262,108
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 726,959	$ 587,907

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$ 5,586	$ 766
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
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)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	627,792,718	568,847,967
Common stock, shares outstanding	627,792,718	568,847,967

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 47,279	$ 22,646	$ 107,158	$ 32,588
Total net sales	47,279	22,646	107,158	32,588
Cost of goods sold:
Cost of goods sold	40,849	17,780	90,132	26,964
Gross profit	6,430	4,866	17,026	5,624
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	17,231	2,112	67,146	4,190
Sales, marketing and customer service	5,765	668	18,169	1,025
Total operating expenses	22,996	2,780	85,315	5,215
Operating (loss) income	(16,566)	2,086	(68,289)	409
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(3,146)	(897)	(7,024)	(2,090)
Interest income	267	197	1,932	967
Loss on extinguishment of convertible bonds		(8,907)		(8,907)
Change in fair value of derivative asset/liability	(10,793)	310	(10,793)	310
Loss on investment in EnSync, Inc	(651)		(651)
Others (includes net foreign exchange gain of $2,564 and loss of $880 in 2015)	(858)	(127)	2,727	(197)
Total other income/(expense), net	(15,181)	(9,424)	(13,809)	(9,917)
Loss before income taxes	(31,747)	(7,338)	(82,098)	(9,508)
Income tax (benefit)/expense	(796)	945	510	945
Net loss	(30,951)	(8,283)	(82,608)	(10,453)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(124)		(177)
Net loss attributable to stockholders of the Company	$ (30,827)	$ (8,283)	$ (82,431)	$ (10,453)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing per share amounts:
Basic and Diluted (in Shares)	627,792,718	337,671,188	606,117,633	246,240,974

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	$ (880)	$ 2,564

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (30,951)	$ (8,283)	$ (82,608)	$ (10,453)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain arising during the period	(3,529)	2	(8,794)	(146)
Total comprehensive loss	(34,480)	(8,281)	(91,402)	(10,599)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net loss	(124)		(177)
Foreign currency translation loss arising during the period	(90)		(90)
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders of the Company	$ (34,266)	$ (8,281)	$ (91,135)	$ (10,599)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (82,608)	$ (10,453)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	3,083	781
Amortization	631	429
Provision for inventory	2,118
Bad debt expense	5,068
Loss on investment in EnSync, Inc	651
Stock-based compensation expense	35,748	208
Impairment of project assets	1,909	2,055
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	13
Loss on extinguishment of convertible bonds		8,907
Change in fair value of derivative asset and liability	10,880	(310)
Deferred income tax benefit	(126)
Non-cash interest expense	4,296	1,406
Operating income from solar system subject to financing obligation	(951)	(760)
Other non-cash expense	989	14
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(44,067)	2,395
Finance lease receivable	(22,582)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	9,109	(20,755)
Restricted cash related to operating activities	(29,568)
Project assets	(51,304)	(7,592)
Inventories	(3,335)	(2,696)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(30,008)	479
Other current assets	(820)
Accounts payable	27,790	7,440
Accounts payable, related party	(10,087)	(12,537)
Note payable	(1,704)
Advances from customers	5,125
Income taxes payable	150	911
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts		(862)
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities	15,334	220
Other liabilities, related party	50
Net cash used in operating activities	(154,216)	(30,720)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in affiliate	(16,443)	(586)
Derivative asset, noncurrent	(16,947)
Proceeds from repayment of notes receivable	1,733	252
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(7,582)	(26)
Acquisitions of project assets	(16,841)
Prepayment for acquisitions of subsidiaries	(4,969)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired	(5,398)
Acquisition of short-term investments	(25,810)
Placement of bank deposit with maturity over three months	(5,323)
Uplift of bank deposit with maturity over three months	14,175
Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments	53,164
Proceeds from disposal or sale of fixed assets		6
Net cash used in investing activities	(30,241)	(354)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stocks	37,001	35,745
Proceeds from/(payments on) line of credit and loans payable	148,815	(4,250)
Proceeds from loans on solarbao platform through Solar Energy	85,219
Decrease in restricted cash	160	240
Issuance of convertible bond	20,000	11,000
Repayment of line of credit and loans payable	(138,161)
Repayment of loans on solarbao platform directly or through Solar Energy	(57,631)
Net cash generated from financing activities	95,403	42,735
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(26)	97
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents	(89,080)	11,758
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	156,540	1,031
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	67,460	12,789
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	939	191
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Coupons issued to settle accounts payable (Note 1)	7,633
Common stock issued in exchange for convertible bond extinguishment		11,000
Debt forgiveness from related party	17,775	3,998
Exchange of notes receivable, related party and other assets to acquire project asset		9,448
Exchange of investments in affiliates to acquire project assets		8,912
Exchange of notes receivable for notes receivable, related party		8,450
Derivative liability issued to acquire project assets		983
Contribution of other assets as investment in affiliate		790
Common Stock Issued to Acquire Project Assets [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock issued-Non cash activity	5,500	$ 3,300
Common Stock Issued to Settle Payable [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock issued-Non cash activity	726
Common Stock Issued to Acquire Subsidiaries [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock issued-Non cash activity	$ 23,847

Description of Business and Bas

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 photovoltaic (“PV”) solutions for business, residential, government and utility customers and investors. The Company provides a full spectrum of engineering, procurement and construction services (“EPC”) to third party project developers, as well as develop, own and operate solar PV 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 September 30, 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”), SPI Renewables Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company S.a.r.l. (formerly known as CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.)), and Italsolar S.r.l, (collectively the “CECEP”), Solar Juice Pty Ltd (“Solar Juice”), SPI Energiebau Renewables GmbH (“SPI Energiebau”), SPI Energy Co., Ltd. (“SPI Energy”), 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. CECEP, Solar Juice were acquired by the Company in February and May 2015 respectively. CECEP owned and operated a number of PV plants in Italy. Solar Juice was engaged in the distribution of PV related products including solar panels in Australia. Refer to Note 4 for details of these acquisitions. SPI Energy was incorporated by SPI as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Cayman Islands in May 4, 2015. On May 11, 2015, SPI Energy initially filed a registration statement on Form F-4 in connection with seeking shareholder consent for the approval of certain agreements and plan of reorganization and related redomicile of SPI to the Cayman Islands. On November 5, 2015, SPI Energy filed registration statement amendment no. 5 on from F-4 in connection with such re-organization and related redomcile. 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, deputy chairman of the Company’s board of directors 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 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. Therefore, the financial results of Solar Energy could not be consolidated by the Company before the legal enforceability of the contractual agreements is established. Through the on-line platform of Solar Energy, the Company has raised funds from individual investors, who need to register as a member on the platform, through certain on-line products launched by the Company since January 2015. Each on-line products launched on the platform are set with a targeted amount of funds in renminbi to be raised for that product, which is divided into units (“Investment Unit”) with unit value ranging from RMB16.7 to RMB200,000. Individual investors may subscribe for Investment Unit of these on-line products which are generally structured in the way of using the funds from individual investors to purchase solar module or PV related products (“Underlying PV Products”) for leasing to the PV project developers on PV project basis over a specified period. These PV projects may represent the Company’s self developed projects or third party developed projects. Investments made into each on-line product are subject to lock-up period, which ranges from nil to 1,080 days, depending on the terms of each on-line product. During the lock-up period, the individual investors could not transfer or redeem their subscribed Investment Units. After the lock-up period, individual investors are permitted either to transfer their investments in respect of the principal portion to other investors through the on-line platform or, for substantially all products launched, to request the Company to redeem their subscribed Investments Units. Any Investments Units so redeemed by the Company could be put on the on-line platform for re-sale to other investors. Once Investment Units are subscribed and funds are provided, individual investors are guaranteed by the Company with an minimum investment return for their investments, which ranges from an annual rate of 5.25% to 11.9% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, and are also guaranteed for the repayment of funds principal at the end of the investment period by requesting the Company to redeem their investment units. Such redemption rights are granted by the Company for substantially all products launched. Any funds provided by individual investors without subscribing for any on-line products are not entitled to any interest. For each investment into these On-line products by the individual investors with redemption rights granted by the Company, although a tri-party lease agreement is signed among the individual investors, the Company and the PV project developer with individual investors as legal lessor and the PV project developers as legal lessee, the Company is considered as the accounting lessor in substance because 1) the lease terms, rate of return on the investment funds from individual investors, the initial purchase price and the lease rental of the Underlying PV products payable by the PV developers and the purchase contract of the Underlying PV Products entered with manufacturer are negotiated and concluded by the Company without any involvement by the individual investors; and 2) individual investors are entitled to a minimum interest rate as return that are guaranteed by the Company in respect of their funds provided and does not take credit risk in respect of any default payment by the lessee nor risk of claim on the leased assets; 3) the Company is subject to the credit risk as a principal of the lease transaction and has unconditional commitment to return the funds to the individual investors and assume the title of the leased asset after the lock-up period. Based on the above, the individual investors purely provided funds (as lender) to finance the Company (as borrower) for its purchases of the Underlying PV Products for leasing to a solar PV developer in return for a fixed return. In this regard, lease accounting is adopted with the Company as lessor and third party PV developer as lessee for any Underlying PV Products purchased by the Company for leasing to third party project developers. For those on-line products of which the PV project developer (i.e. the legal lessee) is one of SPI’s subsidiaries, the related leasing transactions are eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Regardless as to whether a SPI’s subsidiaries or a third party PV developer is deemed to be the accounting lessor, all interest bearing funds provided by individual investors are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as either short term borrowings or long term borrowings included in other noncurrent liability. Funds provided with the lock-up period over one year are classified as long term borrowings and funds with a lock-up period of less than one year are classified as short-term borrowings. Funds that are provided without any on-line products subscribed are non-interest bearing and are reclassified as amount due to individual investors under other current liabilities (See Note 15-Other liabilities). During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, substantially all of the on-line products launched through the on-line platform are related to the Company self-owned PV projects with SPI’s subsidiaries being the lessee. For those on-line products of which the lessee is third party developer, such leases are classified as finance lease in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In connection with the launch of the above financing and leasing products, the Company issued to certain third party vendors, Jiangxi LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. (“LDK Jiangxi”) and Suzhou Liuxin Industry Ltd. (“Liuxin”) coupons with total face value of $1,998, nil and nil during the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and $6,860, $779 and $582 respectively during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015. Both LDK Jiangxi and Liuxin are related parties of the Company. These coupons are freely transferable between holders but could not be redeemed in cash. Each coupon has an expiry date for redemption. Prior to the expiry date, when the holder subscribe the on-line products through the on-line platform owned by Solar Energy described above, the holders could redeem the coupons and reduce the original purchase price for the on-line products by the face value of the coupons. For the coupons issued to the third party vendors and LDK Jiangxi, the Company is entitled to the face value in cash or, if mutually agreed between the Company and LDK Jiangxi or between the Company and the relevant third party vendor, to apply the face value as of offset to outstanding accounts payables to these counterparties. Accordingly, the face values of these coupons, totaling $7,639, were recorded as other receivables upon issuance of the coupons. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, other receivable balances related to such coupons totaling $6,854 and $779 were setoff against the related accounts payable balances when mutual agreement with the counterparties had been reached and the legal right to setoff had been established. As of September 30, 2015, other receivable balances due from third party vendors arising from the coupons amounted to $6. The coupons issued to Liuxin were originally intended for promotional purposes. The face values of these coupons, totaling $582, were therefore recorded as selling expense in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 because there is no written agreement for the settlement of these coupons. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company received full payment of $582 from Liuxin for the face value of the coupons issued and therefore recorded the amounts received as a reduction of selling expenses. The face values of the coupons are recorded in other payables upon issuance, which were reclassified as the Company’s borrowings when the coupons are redeemed through the purchase of on-line products. As of September 30, 2015, all coupons issued to these counterparties had been redeemed. In order to promote the above on-line products on the platform, the Company offered, from time to time, discount from 5% to 20% on the unit value for Investment Units subscribed by individual investors. The discount offered for on-line products subscribed by individual investors is amortized as interest expense using the effective interest rate method through the end of the lock-up period, which is the earliest date that the Company could be required to repay the unit value in respect of the investment made by individual investors. The Company has also started a series of promotion activities targeting on new member (i.e. new individual investors). During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company launched two series of such promotion program pursuant to which any new member registered on-line during the promotion period could be paid back with RMB17.26 in 3 days or RMB9.86 immediately by paying RMB1 into their newly opened account maintained with the Company. By participating in this program, these new members are not obliged to subscribe for any on-line products at that time or in the future in order to get the amount of RMB17.26 in 3 days or RMB9.86 immediately. The difference between the amount paid by new members and the amount to be paid back by the Company under this promotion activity is recorded as selling expenses as incurred, which amounted to $2,238 and $947 during the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015. In addition, the Company launched a referral program pursuant to which existing members successfully referred any new member to register a newly opened account on-line and acquire the online products will be entitled to a referral fee of RMB 40 plus 0.55% to 0.8% of the fund principal raised from the newly referred members from time to time in the first two months after the opening of the new account. Such referral fee is recorded as selling expenses as incurred, which amounted to $559 and $389 during the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015. Through its on-line platform, Solar Energy serves as a service agent of the Company to collect funds from and repay funds to individual investors. For the funds collected and repaid through Solar Energy prior to June 17, 2015, the Company made settlement with Solar Energy on a regular basis. From June 17, 2015 onwards, the Company has made repayment of borrowings to individual investors directly while Solar Energy still continues to collect the funds from individual investors and settle with the Company within 2 weeks. For the service provided through the on-line platform, Solar Energy generally charges the Company commission fee at 1% of the fund principal invested into the on-line products by individual investors (see Note 23 — Related Party Transactions) except for those resale of redeemed on-line products by the Company where no commission will be charged to the Company. Such commission fees were recorded as interest expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operation. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the total fund raised from individual investors through Solar Energy amounted to $95,665, of which $8,199 was settled by the coupon issued by the Company to the third party vendors and two related party without cash inflow as described above and $85,495 had been received by the Company from Solar Energy as of September 30, 2015. The Company recorded the remaining funds to be received from Solar Energy in other receivable- due from related party on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as at September 30, 2015, after the reduction of its commission fee of $276 (See Note 23 — Related Party Transactions ). 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 September 30, 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 asset/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.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine–month period ended September 30, 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 Pron

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 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 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. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 applies to inventory that is measured using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method and requires measurement of that inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	4. Business combinations (a) Acquisition of CECEP 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 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. All cash consideration has been settled according to the predetermined payment schedule. 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 September 30, 2015, CECEP contributed revenue of $1,005 and earnings of $197 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. (b) Acquisition of Solar Juice On March 31, 2015, SPI China (HK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPI, entered into a share purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Andrew Burgess, a citizen of Australia as trustee on the terms of the Burgess Absolutely Entitled Trust, Rami Fedda, a citizen of Australia as trustee on the terms of the Fedda Absolutely Entitled Trust, and Allied Energy Holding Pte Ltd, a company incorporated in Singapore and associated with Simon Tan, a citizen of Singapore (collectively, the “Solar Juice Sellers”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, SPI China (HK) Limited agreed to acquire from Solar Juice Sellers 80% of equity interest in Solar Juice Pty Ltd (“Solar Juice”), an Australian proprietary company. The acquisition was consummated on May 28, 2015 upon completion of all closing conditions. Solar Juice is engaged in the distribution of solar photovoltaic panels, solar inverters and other energy efficient solutions, both domestically and internationally. The purchase consideration consisted of 14,073,354 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Consideration”). The fair value of the Consideration was determined to be $15,578, which was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the acquisition date of May 28, 2015, with adjustment 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 1,037 Accounts receivable 6,124 Inventories, net 14,728 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 263 Other current assets 525 Intangible assets 4,579 Property, plant and equipment net 301 Deferred tax asset 295 Accounts payable (10,934 ) Accrued liabilities (534 ) Prepaid income tax 89 Advance from customers (230 ) Short term borrowings (4,305 ) Deferred tax liability (1,889 ) Identifiable net assets acquired (a) 10,049 Consideration (b) 15,578 Non-controlling interests (c) 2,709 Goodwill (b+c- a) 8,238 During the period from the acquisition date to September 30, 2015, Solar Juice contributed revenue of $20,600 and losses of $673 to the Company’s consolidated results. Solar Juice is one of the largest distributors of solar panels and inverters in Australia and have well established distribution channel in South East Asia. As a result of the acquisition of Solar Juice, the Company would be able to have immediate access to the solar PV market in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, which could enhance the Company’s development of PV projects in those markets. Goodwill primarily represents such expected synergies the Company obtained from the acquisition. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company was granted a call option by the Solar Juice Sellers to acquire remaining 20% equity interest in Solar Juice from them. The exercise price per share of the call option is to be determined based on Solar Juice’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) per share for the year ending December 31, 2015 multiplied by six. The acquisition consideration will be settled with the Company’s common stock if the Company exercises the option. The number of shares to be issued by the Company will be determined by the share price on the exercise date. The call option will be expired on May 28, 2016. The call option meets the definition of a derivative. The Company initially recognized the call option at its fair value of $420 as a derivative asset in Other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015 with gain of $4 and nil arising from the change in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015. The fair value measurement of this call option was further discussed in Note 13 — Fair value measurement. Additionally, Solar Juice received a Notice to Produce Documents request from the Australian Customs Border Protection Service in relation to the tariff classification of certain imports, consistent with similar requests issued to other companies in the solar photovoltaic industry in October 2014. Whilst no official claim for payment has been made on Solar Juice by the Australian Customs Border Protection Service, Solar Juice has submitted an application for an internal review via the Tariff Advice mechanism in January 2015 and is awaiting responses from customs. Based on an internal review by management of the Company as well as external legal advice, Solar Juice considered no significant liability will arise and disclosed the contingency liability (not including any penalties or charges if any) amounting to US$700 as of May 28, 2015. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, tax liabilities arising for the period before the closing date of the acquisition will be indemnified by the Solar Juice Sellers. Therefore, the Company considered that no significant liability has been assumed in connection with this acquisition. (c) Acquisition of All-Zip On April 30, 2015, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the “All-Zip Share Purchase Agreement”) with Shanghai All-Zip Roofing System Group Co., Ltd. (“All-Zip”), a company established in China, and all of its shareholders (collectively, the “All-Zip Sellers”) to acquire 100% equity interests in All-Zip, subject to certain closing conditions set forth in the All-Zip Share Purchase Agreement, at an aggregate consideration of RMB275 million (equivalent to $44.35 million), which are to be settled by the issuance of the Company’s common stock at $2.38 per share. As at the date of issuance of these financial statements, the acquisition has not been consummated. All-Zip is mainly engaging in designing, processing, construction and installation of steel structure projects and interior decoration projects. (d) Acquisition of Convertergy I Holdings On May 8, 2015, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Convertergy Share Purchase Agreement”) with Convertergy II Holdings Limited (the “Seller”), a British Virgin company to acquire 100% equity interests in Convertergy I Holdings Limited (“Convertergy I Holdings”), subject to certain closing conditions set forth in the Convertergy Share Purchase Agreement, at an aggregate consideration of US$13.8 million (the “Share Transfer Price”). The Share Transfer Price will be settled by the issuance of the Company’s common stock, calculated at the average closing price of the ten trading days immediately prior to the closing date or a date otherwise agreed by the parties. As at the date of issuance of these financial statements, the acquisition has not been consummated. Convertergy Energy is engaging in providing the power monitoring and power management solution for solar photovoltaic generation system. (e) Acquisition of Dingding Yiwei On September 1, 2015, Meitai Investment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Meitai Suzhou”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPI, Beijing Dingding Yiwei New Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Dingding Yiwei”), a company established in China, and all of its shareholders, entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Yiwei Share Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Yiwei Share Purchase Agreement, Meitai Suzhou agreed to acquire 60% equity interests in Dingding Yiwei at a cash consideration of RMB 30 million ($4,720), subject to certain closing conditions set forth in the Yiwei Share Purchase Agreement. As at the date of issuance of these financial statements, the acquisition has not been consummated. Dingding Yiwei is engaging in the car rental business through its on-line platform in China.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	5. Restricted cash At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had restricted bank deposits of $29,959 and $337 respectively. The restricted bank deposits as at September 30, 2015 represents guarantee deposits, which primarily include reserves of $24,230 for bank acceptance notes issued by the Company to suppliers with maturity period from 1 to 6 months and reserves of $5,729 for a one-year short term loan of RMB35,000 obtained from a PRC bank on December 3, 2014.

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Short-term Investments	6. Short-term investments On November 13, 2014, the Company invested $8,045 (equivalent to RMB50,000) in a financial product managed by a bank in the PRC. The investment is principal protected with an estimated but not guaranteed return rate of 5% per annum. The investment was redeemed in full on maturity date as of May 14, 2015. The investment income was $199 and nil for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and was recorded as interest income. On November 24, 2014, the Company invested $19,309 (equivalent to RMB120,000) in a financial product managed by a bank in the PRC. 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 deposit for a one-year short term loan of $5,506 (equivalent to RMB35,000) obtained from the same PRC bank on December 3, 2014. The investment was redeemed in full on May 22, 2015 and upon the maturity of the investment, the fund was released to the company’s operation account. The Company then pledged bank deposits of $5,729 with maturities over three months as loan security deposit (see Note 5 — Restricted cash). The investment income was $433 and nil for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and was recorded as interest income.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	7. Accounts receivable Accounts receivable, current and non-current, mainly represents amounts due from customers for 1) sales of Solar PV projects; 2) rendering of EPC services; 3) supply of electricity under power supply agreements (“PPA”); and 4) sales of solar PV related components. The balance of allowance for doubtful accounts was $5,586 and $766 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. There was write-off for bad debts of $23 and recovery of previously written off of nil for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts is provided against gross accounts receivable balances based on the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company grants credit terms to credit-worthy customers. Terms vary per contract terms and range from 30 to 365 days. Contractually, the Company may charge interest for extended payment terms and require collateral. The Company regularly monitors and assesses the risk of not collecting amounts owed by customers. This evaluation is based upon a variety of factors, including an analysis of amounts current and past due along with relevant history and facts particular to the customer. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers. Included in the receivable balances arising from EPC services as at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was an amount of $13,214 and $6,794 respectively due from a customer in the PRC, Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd (“Realforce”). In the second half of 2014, the Group entered into an EPC contract with Realforce to construct a 21MW rooftop PV station. The construction of the PV station had been completed prior to December 31, 2014. In April 2015, Realforce entered into a sales and leaseback arrangement with the Company for the purpose of settling part of the outstanding receivable arising from the EPC contract. At that time, the outstanding receivable balances due from Realforce amounted to $24,840. Pursuant to the sales and leaseback arrangement, Realforce sold the Company certain solar PV components installed in the 21MW rooftop PV station at their fair value of $11,292 and immediately leased them back over a 10-year period with annual interest rate of 10% per annum under a finance lease contract. As a result of the above arrangement, the Company reduced the receivable balance due from Realforce by the fair value of the solar PV components of $11,292 and recognized a finance lease receivable of $11,292 due from Realforce. No gain or loss was recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operation in relation to the above settlement through sales and leaseback arrangement. For the remaining $13,545 accounts receivable balances due from Realforce, the Company and Realforce have not reached any settlement arrangement up to the date of issuance of the financial statements. As at September 30, 2015, 100% equity interests in Realforce were pledged to the Company to secure its repayment obligations under the finance lease contract and the outstanding accounts receivable balances.

Project Assets

Project Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Project Assets	8. Project Assets As of September 30, 2015, project assets, current and non-current, mainly consist of the SEF development across U.S.A., UK, Japan and the PRC, with the amount of $66,981 (2014: $48,520), $40,753 (2014: $14,000), $20,582 (2014: $12,826) and $41,786 (2014: 19,849) respectively. Project assets consist of the following: September 30, December 31, Under development-Company as project owner $ 129,527 $ 75,346 Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction* 40,575 19,849 Total project assets 170,102 95,195 Current, net of impairment loss $ 101,687 $ 73,930 Noncurrent $ 68,415 $ 21,265 * All of the projects costs under this category were recorded as project assets, noncurrent. Project assets under development-Company as project owner are primarily related to the following projects: Calwaii Projects In 2014, the Company acquired solar PV assets, primarily including land use right and pre-contract costs relating to forty-three solar PV systems owned by Calwaii. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, sales of four solar PV systems were consummated (see below). As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, incurred costs for PV solar systems under the Calwaii’s projects in Hawaii amounted to $23,570 and $23,943 respectively. Solar Mountain Creek Parent LLC The carrying amount of this project amounted to $17,239 and 17,864, net of impairment of $2,787 and $2,055 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively. 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. In July 2015, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement to extend the deadline of final completion to the end of 2015 and compensate the buyer up to $625. The compensation would be deducted from the consideration. 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 of $17,239. 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. The Company accounted for this sales transaction using the deposit method under ASC 360-20, Real Estate Accounting, and did not recognize any revenue and profit for this sales transaction for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 as certain closing conditions as specified in the sales agreement had not been met and accordingly sales had not been consummated as of September 30, 2015. RE Capital Projects In April 2015, the Company entered into an interest purchase agreement with RE Capital Pte. Ltd. to acquire its 100% membership interest in seventeen PV project companies in Japan (“RE Capital companies”) at a consideration of $8,800 consisting of $3,300 cash and $5,500 worth of the Company’s common stock (See Note 18 — Stockholders’ Equity). RE Capital companies’ total assets and liabilities only included land and pre-contract cost related to solar projects of 52MWs in total. Additionally, RE Capital companies 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 RE Capital companies 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. As of September 30, 2015, the payment made and cost incurred of $8,123 in total up to September 30, 2015 were included and recorded as project assets. Solar Park Development 4 Ltd In June 2015, the Company entered into another shares sales agreement with Blackrock Income UK Holding Limited to transfer the 100% outstanding share of Solar Park Development 4 Ltd at a consideration of $10,716 (equivalent to GBP7,000), which owned a grid-connected solar project of 6.2 MW developed by the Company. The Company accounted for this sales transaction using the deposit method under ASC 360-20, Real Estate Accounting as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company didn’t recognize any revenue and profit for this sales transaction as certain closing conditions specified in the agreement had not been met and accordingly the sales had not been consummated. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the related project costs recorded and included as project assets amounted to $10,011 and $2,022 respectively. Solar Park Development 2 Ltd As of September 30, 2015, the solar project of 15MW owned by Solar Park Development 2 Ltd was grid-connected. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the related project asset costs recorded and included as project assets amounted to $24,516 and $5,947 respectively. The Company is negotiating with a potential buyer to sell this project at a consideration of $25,509 (equivalent to GBP16,664). Beaver Run Project In 2014, the Company acquired solar PV assets, primarily including land use right and pre-contract costs relating to a solar PV system owned by Beaver Run in New Jersey. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the related project asset costs recorded and included as project assets amounted to $25,249 and $5,686 respectively. The construction of this project had not been completed as of September 30, 2015. Sukagawa Project In 2014, the Company acquired solar PV assets, primarily including land title and pre-contract costs relating to a solar PV system of 25MW in Japan. The carrying amount of this project amounted to $5,008 and $4,520, net of impairment of $1,177 and nil as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively. As of September 30, 2015, the Company intended to sell this project. The Company assessed their recoverable amounts and as a result the carrying amount of this project asset was written down to the recoverable amount by $1,177 which is recorded as cost of goods sold in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine-month and three month periods ended September 30, 2015. 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. Other Projects In addition to the above significant projects, the Company’s project assets consists of a number of individually insignificant projects of $15,811 and $15,364 in aggregate as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively, of which $3,085 and $3,848 of project assets were under construction respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized sales revenue for the following projects: Calwaii Projects 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 $5,860. The Company accounted for this sales transaction under ASC 360-20, Real Estate Accounting, and did not recognize any revenue and profit for this sales transaction for the year ended December 31, 2014 and three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as certain closing conditions, including but not limited to grid connection specified in the sales agreement, had not been met. As of June 30, 2015, all closing conditions had been met and sales had been consummated. Accordingly, the Company recognized revenue and cost for these solar projects of $5,860 and $5,850, respectively. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had received $3,761 for the sales of this project. The Company has initiated the dispute resolution process to request the settlement of the remaining receivable of $2,099 pursuant to the sales agreement, which required the delivery of a dispute notice to the customer, Hi-Kilowatts LLC (“Hi-Kilowatts”), describing the issues and claims of the Company. This dispute notice was delivered to Hi-Kilowatts on October 17, 2015. Hi-Kilowatts’ response to the Company’s dispute notice was received on October 30, 2015, which described the issues and claims of Hi-Kilowatts. Both parties have their respective senior officers negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute. In the event the parties are unable to resolve the dispute by December 30, 2015, the parties shall submit the dispute to mediation. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through mediation, then either party may pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity. The Company are seeking damages from Hi-Kilowatts for the unpaid receivable and breach of the sales agreement. The parties are in the process of negotiating a settlement agreement. Solar Park Development 3 Ltd In June 2015, the Company entered into a shares sales agreement with Blackrock Income UK Holding Limited to transfer the 100% outstanding share of Solar Park Development 3 Ltd at a consideration of $16,088 (equivalent to GBP10,532), which owned a grid-connected solar project of 9.5 MW developed by the Company. The Company accounted for this sales transaction under ASC 360-20, Real Estate Accounting. As of June 30, 2015, all closing conditions specified in the shares sales agreement had been met and the Company recognized revenue and cost for this solar project of $16,088 and 14,854, respectively during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015. The receivable of $16,088 were fully settled by Blackrock Income UK Holding Limited in July 2015. Project assets under development-Company expected to be project owner upon completion of construction are related to the following projects: In late 2014, the Company entered into two EPC contracts with third-party projects owners under an arrangement pursuant to which there was mutual understanding between the Company and the respective project owners that the title and ownership of the PV solar power systems would transfer to the Company upon the completion of construction and grid connection of the PV systems under the EPC contracts by the Company. The PV solar systems were pledged to the Company, as part of the EPC contract terms, to secure the expected title transfer upon grid connection. In 2015, the Company entered into similar arrangement with two third-party project owners. Unlike other EPC contracts which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 605, no revenue is recognized for these four EPC contracts as no revenue is expected to be realized or earned from the EPC contracts, which were signed to facilitate the construction of the related solar PV systems by the Company and secure the Company’s financial interests in these projects through the pledge of the related solar PV systems. Given the substance of the transactions, the mutual understanding reached between the Company and the third-party project owners and the remote possibility of not obtaining the legal title upon grid connection, the Company accounts for these projects as owned and record the costs incurred under Project Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Based on the Company’s intention to sell or hold for own use, the projects costs incurred for these EPC contracts are presented as operating activities or investing activities respectively in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had respectively entered with these projects owners either a memorandum of understanding or pre-acquisition agreement to confirm the future transfer of the title and ownership upon the completion of construction and grid connection of the related PV systems.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Curr

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	9. Prepaid expenses and other current assets September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Value-added tax recoverable 9,353 3,969 Receivable for withholding individual income tax 15,199 — Deposit and prepayment for acquisitions 11,235 4,827 Other deposit and prepayment 8,815 846 Other receivable 3,238 — Others 1,561 1,288 Total of prepaid expenses and other current assets 49,401 10,930 Other deposit and prepayment include a deposit of $4,720 (equivalent to RMB30,000) paid to State Grid Corporation of China under an Acquisition Framework agreement dated October 22, 2014 to acquire 95.68% of the shares in Guo Dian Nai Lun Te Zuo Qi Photovoltaic Power Generation LLC (“Guo Dian”). Pursuant to the Acquisition Framework Agreement, the Company shall acquire 95.68% of the shares in Guo Dian at an aggregate purchase price of USD 100 million. In the event that the Company fails to execute any equity transfer agreement, the seller shall have the right to terminate the agreement, in which case, the seller shall refund all of the amounts that have been paid by the Company without any penalty.

Finance Lease Receivables

Finance Lease Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance Lease Receivables	10. Finance lease receivables During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company entered into finance lease contracts with contract value of $1,192 for leasing those Underlying PV related products to third-party PV developers through the on-line platform owned by Solar Energy (see note 1). Also, two EPC customers and six third party entities entered into sales and leaseback arrangements with the Company. The leases are accounted for as finance lease. Finance lease receivables are as follows: September 30, December 31, Minimum lease payments receivable $ 29,445 $ — Unearned income (6,863 ) — Net finance lease receivables $ 22,582 $ — Current $ 11,758 $ — Noncurrent 10,824 — As at September 30, 2015, future maturities of minimum lease payments receivable are as follows: USD 2015 (remaining three months) $ 338 2016 11,582 2017 986 2018 1,089 2019 1,142 Thereafter 7,445 $ 22,582 During the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company earned total interest income of $899 and $514 respectively for these finance lease contracts.

Investment in EnSync, Inc.

Investment in EnSync, Inc.	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment in EnSync, Inc.	11. Investment in EnSync, Inc. On April 17, 2015, the Company and EnSync, Inc. (formerly known as ZBB Energy Corporation) (“ENS”), a Wisconsin corporation, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which ENS will issue and sell to the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $33,390 which is to be settled in cash, a total of (i) 8,000,000 shares (the “Purchased Common Stock”) of ENS’s common stock based on a purchase price per common share of $0.6678 and (ii) 28,048 shares of the ENS’s convertible preferred stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”) which are convertible into an aggregate of 42,000,000 shares of common stock, representing a purchase price of $0.6678 per common stock on an as-if converted basis, over a four-year period with 25% of issued Convertible Preferred Stock became convertible in each of the next four years if the Company meets certain conditions relating to the Company’s purchases of minimum megawatt of solar related products from ENS in each of the next four years as set out in the Securities Purchase Agreement. The purchase prices of the products are not fixed or determinable in the agreements, but ENS shall not at any time sell a lower quantity of the products under similar terms and conditions to other buyers at prices below those provided to the Company. The conversion is subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, and other designated capital events. ENS also entitles the Company to acquire 50,000,000 shares of ENS’s common stock (the “Warrant”) for an aggregate amount of $36,729, or $0.7346 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, and other designated capital transactions. The consummation of the Securities Purchase Agreement is subject to certain closing conditions. ENS develops, licenses, and manufactures innovative energy management systems solutions serving the commercial and industrial building, utility and off-grid markets. On July 13, 2015, all closing conditions relating to the Securities Purchases Agreement was met. The Purchased Common Stock, Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrant have been issued to the Company. The Purchased Common Stock represents approximately 17% of the outstanding common stock of ENS as at July 13, 2015. Additionally, assuming the full conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock (and that no other shares of common stock of ENS are issued), the Company would own greater than a majority of the outstanding common stock of ENS. The Company also entered into a supply agreement with ENS pursuant to which ENS will sell and the Company will purchase certain products offered by ENS from time to time, including energy storage systems for solar projects (the “Supply Agreement”). Convertibility of the Convertible Preferred Stock is dependent upon the Company making purchases of and payments for energy storage systems under the Supply Agreement as follows: the first one-fourth (the “Series C-1 Preferred Stock”) of the Purchased Preferred Shares only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for 5 megawatts (“MW”) that are purchased by SPI in accordance with the Supply Agreement; the second one-fourth (the “Series C-2 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 15 MW worth of the Supply Agreement; the third one-fourth (the “Series C-3 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 25 MW worth of the Supply Agreement; and the last one fourth (the “Series C-4 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 40 MW worth of the Supply Agreement. The Convertible Preferred Stock will not become convertible unless the payment for the Supply Agreement is received. If the Company complies with the provisions of the Supply Agreement, it will make sufficient purchases for each tranche of the Convertible Preferred Stock to vest and become convertible over the next four years. However, the Convertible Preferred Shares will become convertible at any time when the relevant payments are received by ENS for the specified purchases, even if the payments are made later or earlier than the schedule set out in the Supply Agreement. The Convertible Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as required by law or for certain matters specified in the agreement. The Convertible Preferred Stock are perpetual, are not eligible for dividends, and are not redeemable. Besides, so long as any shares of Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, ENS may not pay dividends on its common stock and may not redeem more than $100 in common stock per year. The Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to the greater of $28,048 and the distribution of the entire assets on an as-converted basis. The Warrant vests and becomes exercisable once the Company purchases and pays for 40 MW of the Supply Agreement, and will not vest or become exercisable if those purchases and payments do not occur before the termination of the Warrant, which will occur, whether the Warrant has vested or not, on July 13, 2019. Prior to exercise, the Warrant provides the Company with no voting rights. The Warrant may not be partially exercised. As the closing price of ENS’s common stock at September 30, 2015 was below the exercise price of the Warrant, the Warrant was out-of-the-money at that date. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a governance agreement with ENS (the “Governance Agreement”). Under the Governance Agreement, the Company is entitled to nominate one director to the board of directors of ENS for so long as the Company holds at least 10,000 convertible preferred shares or 25 million shares of common stock or common stock equivalents (the “Requisite Shares”). Additionally, for so long as the Company holds the Requisite Shares (1) following the time at which the Series C-2 Preferred Stock shall have become convertible in full, SPI shall be entitled to nominate a total of two directors and (2) following the time at which the Series C-3 Preferred Stock shall have become convertible in full, SPI shall be entitled to nominate a total of three directors. Provided in no event shall the Company be entitled to nominate a number of directors to the Board that would represent a percentage of the Board greater than the percentage determined by dividing the number of Common Stock Equivalents held by the Company by the sum of (A) the total shares of ENS’s Common Stock outstanding and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock held by the Company is convertible. The Company accounts for this investment in the Purchased Common Stock under the equity method. The Company includes its proportionate share of net earnings or loss attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company accounts for the investment in the Convertible Preferred Stock as other investment carried at cost in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company accounts for the Warrant as a derivative asset at fair value which is included in Derivative asset, noncurrent in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015. The derivative asset was initially recorded at its fair value of $16,947. The change in fair value of $10,793 was recorded under Other income-Change in market value of derivative asset/liability in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015. The total consideration of $33,390 less the fair value of warrants as of July 13, 2015 was allocated, based on relative fair value, between the investments in the Purchased Common Stock and investment in the Convertible Preferred Stock, which were initially recorded at $3,244 and $13,199, respectively. Summarized consolidated financial information of ENS follows: September 30, Assets $ 49,575 Liabilities 18,233 July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015* Sales $ 273 Net loss $ (3,826 ) Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest (69 ) Net loss attributed to equity shareholders of ENS (3,757 ) Preferred stock dividend (77 ) Net loss attribute to common stockholders $ (3,834 ) Net loss attributable to SPI $ (651 ) * The results of ENS during the period from July 1, 2015 to July 13, 2015, the date of acquisition of the Purchased Common Stock is considered to be immaterial. The difference between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the Purchased Common Stock and the amount of the underlying equity in the net assets of ENS is as follows: September 30, Underlying equity in net assets of ENS (17% of net assets of ENS) $ 5,037 Difference between the cost of investment and the underlying equity in net assets (2,444 ) Investment in Purchased Common Stock $ 2,593

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	12. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: September 30, December 31, Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar systems $ 115,352 $ 110,553 Plant and machinery 486 33 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 636 269 Automobile 185 75 Computers and software 1,747 1,296 Leasehold improvements 73 4 118,479 112,230 Less: accumulated depreciation (8,862 ) (5,792 ) 109,617 106,438 Construction in progress 5,353 — $ 114,970 $ 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 22 — 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.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	13. Fair value measurement In arriving at fair-value estimates of the call option as discussed in Note 4- Business Combination, 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 assets. The Company does not have any derivative asset that reduce risk associated with hedging exposure and has not designated the derivative asset as a hedge instrument. The Company did not have any derivatives valued using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The derivative asset relating to the call option was classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. The fair value of the derivative asset was $420 and $424 at the grant date of May 28, 2015 and September 30, 2015 respectively, which were recorded as other financial assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015. Gain arising from change in fair value of $4 and nil was recorded as Other income-others in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 respectively. The Company determines the fair value using binomial model with significant input on the fair value of the remaining 20% equity interest of Solar Juice and volatility unobservable in the market. The volatility is determined by the average standard derivation of the comparable companies applicable over a time period corresponding to the remaining life of the call option. Significant increases or decreases in this unobservable input would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The derivative asset relating to the Warrant to acquire ENS’s common stock was classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. The fair value of the derivative asset was $6,154 on September 30, 2015, which were recorded as Derivative asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015. Gain arising from change in fair value of $10,793 was recorded as Other income-Change in market value of derivative asset/liability in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 respectively. The Company determines the fair value of the Warrant using binomial model with significant inputs on the vesting schedule and volatility unobservable in the market. The vesting schedule of the Warrant is estimated by the Management based on expected timetable to fulfill the vesting condition. The volatility is determined by the average standard derivation of the comparable companies applicable over a period with length commensurate to the time to maturity of the Warrant as of the Valuation Date. Significant variance of the above-mentioned inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The Convertible Preferred Stock of ENS was classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. The fair value of the Convertible Preferred Stock of ENS is determined by the fair value of the total common stock with a discount for Lack of Marketability Discount (“LOMD”). The LOMD as of the Valuation Date is derived by reference to put option based on Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, with significant inputs on the volatility and expected terms of each tranche of the Preferred Stock unobservable in the market. The volatility is determined by the average standard derivation of the comparable companies applicable over a period with length commensurate to the expected term of the Convertible Preferred Stock, and the expected term of each tranche of the Convertibel Preferred Stock is based on Management’s estimation of the conversion schedule. Significant variance of the above-mentioned inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 categories. There were no assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 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 September 30, 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, finance lease receivables, current, accrued liabilities, advance from customers and other current liabilities — costs approximates fair value because of the short maturity period. Notes receivable, current, and 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 $52,968 and $39,423 as of September 30, 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 value 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. Finance lease receivables, noncurrent, and 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 finance lease receivables, noncurrent, and other noncurrent liabilities is determined to approximate its carrying value.

Short Term Borrowings

Short Term Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short Term Borrowings	14. 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 $ 5,506 (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 $18,881 (equivalent to RMB120,000) as collateral. The bank financing product matured on May 22, 2015, and the fund was released to the Company’s operation account. The Company then pledged bank deposits of $5,729 with maturities over three months as loan security deposit. On June 30, 2015, the Company and CMB entered into a loan agreement, whereby CMB provided the Company a loan of $47,202 (equivalent to RMB300,000) at an interest rate of 5.09% per annum. The loan was repaid on July 1, 2015. On June 30, 2015, the Company and Bank of Suzhou (“BOS”) entered into a loan agreement, whereby BOS provided the Company a loan of $4,720 (equivalent to RMB30,000) at an interest rate of 6.6% per annum. The loan is repayable on June 30, 2016. On September 30, 2015, the Company and CMB entered into a loan agreement, whereby CMB provided the Company a loan of $47,202 (equivalent to RMB300,000) at an interest rate of 4.83% per annum. The loan is repayable on March 30, 2016. The Company’s newly acquired subsidiary, Solar Juice, entered into loan agreements with Westpac Bank, whereby Westpac Bank provided Solar Juice loans of $4,045 (equivalent to AUD5,762) at fixed interest rates ranging from 2.32% to 5.14%. These loans will mature from October 5, 2015 to March 21, 2016. Also, Solar Juice has a short term borrowing from Solar Juice’s minority shareholders of $353 (equivalent to AUD514). The loans were non-demand loans, non-interest bearing and unsecured with no specific repayment term. As discussed in Note 1 — Description of Business and Basis of Presentation, the Company raised funds of $95,665 (RMB608,008) from the individual investors through Solar Energy’s online platform during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 at fixed interest rates ranging from 5.25% to 11.9% per annum. The investors could withdraw their principal on their demand after the lock-up period ranging from 0 to 1,080 days from the date of their initial investment. As of September 30, 2015, outstanding borrowings from individual investors through Solar Energy on-line platform amounted to $46,284 in total, of which $42,072 and $4,212 are recorded as short term borrowings and long term borrowings included in other noncurrent liabilities, respectively. In August 2015, the Company and CEV IV 01 Holdings Limited (“CEV”), an affiliated company of Convertergy I Holdings (refer to note 4d), entered into a loan agreement, whereby CEV agreed to provide the Company a loan of $1,500 at an interest rate of 10% per annum Pursuant to the loan agreement, the loan amount should be solely used to finance the daily operation and asset restructure of Convertergy Energy, a subsidiary of Convertergy I Holdings. The loan will mature in six months following the date on which the loan was deposited into the Company’s bank account. The first installment of $750 was deposited into the Company’s bank account on August 7, 2015 and will mature on February 7, 2016. The loan can be repaid by shares issued by the Company, instead of cash, on or prior to the maturity date if mutually agreed between the Company and CEV. The Company lent Convertergy Energy $870 (equivalent to RMB5,527) as of September 30, 2015.

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	15. Other liabilities September 30, December 31, Derivative liability — 11 Due to individual investors 1,692 — Other current liabilities 51,774 33,751 Total other current liabilities 53,466 33,762 Other non-current liabilities 5,425 25,535 Accrued warranty reserve 1,597 1,608 Total other non-current liabilities 7,022 27,143 Total of other liabilities 60,488 60,905 Amounts due to individual investors as at September 30, 2015 represent non-interest bearing fundings provided by individual investors through the on-line platform of Solar Energy (See Note 1 — Description of Business and Basis of Presentation). Other current liabilities primarily include unpaid purchase consideration for the Company’s acquisition of business and project assets of $50,816 in total as at September 30, 2015 (2014: $33,751).

Convertible Bonds

Convertible Bonds	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Bonds	16. Convertible Bonds In December, 2014 the Company entered into three convertible promissory note purchase agreements with Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky, respectively whereby the Company agreed to sell and issue to these three investors convertible promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of $35,000 which could be converted into 17,500,000 Common Shares at a fixed conversion price of $2 unless adjusted for anti-dilution. The convertible notes bore no interest, and might be partially or wholly converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to maturity at the option of the investor. The convertible promissory notes was due and payable on June 11, 2016 and are reclassified as current liabilities as of September 30, 2015. On June 15, 2015, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note purchase agreement with Vision Edge Limited (“Vision Edge”), whereby the Company agreed to sell and issue to Vision Edge convertible promissory note in an aggregate principal amount of $20,000 which could be converted into 7,407,410 Common Shares at a fixed conversion price of $2.70 unless adjusted for anti-dilution. The convertible notes bore no interest, and might be wholly converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to maturity at the option of the investor. The commitment date of the convertible promissory note is on June 29, 2015. The convertible promissory note was due and payable on June 29, 2016. Also, as mentioned in Note 17 — Stock option, on June 15, 2015, the Company entered into option agreement with Vision Edge, whereby the Company agreed to grant Vision Edge an option to purchase from the Company a total of 7,407,410 Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $20,000, or $2.70 per share, prior to December 15, 2015. The above instruments issued to Vision Edge on June 15, 2015, including convertible promissory note and stock option, were accounted for as a bundled transaction. The proceeds from the issuance of convertible promissory note were allocated to the two elements based on the relative fair values of the convertible promissory note and the stock options at the time of issuance. There is no beneficial conversion feature in this convertible promissory note because the initial conversion price of US$ 2.66 per share after the proceeds are allocated to the option is greater than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the commitment date of June 29, 2015. The convertible promissory note and stock options were initially recorded at $19,705 and $295, respectively, according to the allocation of the total proceeds. The discount of $295 of the convertible promissory note is amortized as interest expense using the effective interest rate method through the earliest demand payment date, i.e. June 29, 2016. The stock option was accounted for as an equity instrument and was recorded within equity.

Stock Option

Stock Option	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Stock Option	17. 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. On May 4, 2015, the Company entered into an option agreement with Yes Yield Investments Limited (“Yes Yield”), whereby the Company agreed to grant Yes Yield an option to purchase from the Company a total of 9,260,000 Shares at an exercise price of $2.7 per Share for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,002, prior to November 4, 2015. On June 15, 2015, the Company entered into an option agreement with Vision Edge Limited (“Vision Edge”), whereby the Company agreed to grant Vision Edge an option to purchase from the Company a total of 7,407,410 Shares at an exercise price of $2.7 per Share for an aggregate purchase price of US$20,000, prior to December 15, 2015.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	18. 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2015: Purchasers Securities sold Date of securities Consideration Forwin International Financial 5,000,000 Shares January 16, 2015 $10,000, or $2 per Share Central Able Investment Limited 2,500,000 Shares January 30, 2015 $5,000, or $2 per Share CECEP HK 5,722,977 Shares January 30, 2015 $8,269 Restricted Stocks, Exercised 18,700,000 Shares 1 March 2, 2015 Nil Restricted Stocks, Exercised 500,000 Shares 1 March 26, 2015 Nil Huang Zheng 338,679 Shares 2 June 4, 2015 $726, or $2.14 per Share RE Capital Pte. Ltd. 2,849,741 Shares 3 June 2, 2015 $5,500 or $1.93 per Share Solar Juice 14,073,354 Shares 4 June 11, 2015 $22,718 or $1.61 per Share Yes Yield 9,260,000 Shares 5 July 1, 2015 $25,000 or $2.70 per Share Note: 1. 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. 2. The Company should issue 338,679 shares of Common Stock to Lang Lang, an internationally renowned pianist, as part of the consideration to be brand spokesman for Solarbao within three years. According to Lang Lang’s instruction, the Company directly issued the shares to Huang Zheng, Lang Lang’s agent, on June 4, 2015. 3. On June 2, 2015, the Company issued 2,849,741 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire all interest in solar PV projects of 30 MW in Japan from RE Capital Pte. Ltd. as described in Note 8 — Project assets. 4. On June 11, 2015, the Company issued 14,073,354 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire the outstanding capital stock of Solar Juice as described in Note 4 — Business combination. 5. On May 4, 2015, Yes Yield entered into a common stock purchase agreement with the Company, whereby the Company agreed to issue common stock of 9,260,000 shares to Yes Yield at a price of $2.7 per share for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,000. The Company received the consideration of US$25,000 on June 26, 2015 and issued 9,260,000 shares of Common Stock accordingly, although the securities registration was completed on July 1, 2015.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	19. 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 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Employee stock options $ 1,255 $ (169 ) $ 4,249 $ 208 Restricted stock grants 183 — 31,499 — Total stock-based compensation expense $ 1,438 $ (169 ) $ 35,748 $ 208 The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation by line item for the periods as follow (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 General and administrative $ 1,390 $ (169 ) $ 35,593 $ 206 Sales, marketing and customer service 48 — 155 2 Total stock-based compensation expense 1,438 (169 ) 35,748 208 Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense — — — — Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes $ 1,438 $ (169 ) $ 35,748 $ 208 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 Expected Term Expected Volatility Expected Dividend Risk-Free Interest Rate 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-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Expected term 4 4 4 4 Risk-free interest rate 1.49% - 1.72% 1.25% 1.32% - 2.24% 1.25% Expected volatility 139% - 141% 1.26% 139% - 142% 95% Expected dividend yield 0% 0% 0% 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 five 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 September 30, 2015 there was no share available for grant under the plan (9% of the outstanding shares of 676,867,538 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, February 13, 2015, and June 29, 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 20,468,400 shares. Among these, the vesting schedules for the chairman, deputy chairman 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 March 2015 (See Note 18 — Stockholders’ Equity). The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Shares Weighted- Shares Weighted- Outstanding as of January 1, 25,429,000 $ 0.84 7,114,250 $ 0.20 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 Granted 4,069,000 1.95 10,650,000 0.31 Exercised — — — — Forfeited (1,630,000 ) 1.33 (357,500 ) 0.29 Outstanding as of June 30, 36,060,000 $ 1.16 16,847,500 $ 0.27 Granted 16,542,000 1.80 7,120,000 0.73 Exercised — — (345,000 ) 0.46 Forfeited (2,429,500 ) 1.84 (3,763,500 ) 0.12 Outstanding as of September 30, 50,172,500 $ 1.34 19,859,000 $ 0.46 The following table presents the exercise price and remaining life information about options exercisable at September 30, 2015: Range of exercise price Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate $0.49 - $1.24 2,212,500 3.83 $ 0.77 $ 1,731 $0.31 - $0.48 2,893,750 3.80 0.34 3,501 $0.05 - $0.30 1,075,500 2.81 0.07 1,595 6,181,750 $ $ 6,827 Changes in the Company’s non-vested stock awards are summarized as follows: Time-based Options Restricted Stock Shares Weighted Shares Weighted 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 Granted 4,069,000 1.95 — — Vested (2,462,500 ) 0.33 — — Forfeited (1,630,000 ) 1.33 — — Non-vested as of June 30, 2015 32,105,500 1.24 1,709,000 $ 1.66 Granted 16,542,000 84,400 1.79 Vested (2,227,250 ) — — Forfeited (2,429,500 ) — — Non-vested as of September 30, 2015 43,990,750 1,793,400 $ 1.79

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	20. 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was (0.6)% and (9.9)%, respectively, and the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 2.5% and (12.9)%, 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 has not provided for deferred taxes relating to the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries (primarily the subsidiaries in the People’s Republic of China) amounted to $2.4 million and $8.8 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which are expected to be permanently reinvested. The Company and its subsidiaries did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities as of September 30, 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 St

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock	21. 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 nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 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: For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Numerator: Net loss attributable to stockholders $ (30,827 ) $ (8,283 ) $ (82,431 ) $ (10,453 ) Denominator: Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares 627,792,718 337,671,188 606,117,633 246,240,974 Basic net loss per share $ (0.05 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.04 ) Diluted net loss per share (0.05 ) (0.02 ) (0.14 ) (0.04 )

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	22. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments Guarantee • 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 $60 and $71 at September 30, 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 Performance Guaranty Product Warranties 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Operating leases Future minimum payments under all of our non-cancelable operating leases are as follows as of September 30, 2015: 2015 (remaining three months) $ 973 2016 3,215 2017 1,857 2018 1,454 2019 902 2020 737 Thereafter 8,743 $ 17,881 Capital commitments The capital commitments as at balance sheet dates disclosed above do not include those incomplete acquisitions for investment and business as at balance sheet dates as the agreements could either be terminated unconditionally without any penalty or cancelable when the closing conditions as specified in the agreements could not be met. The occurrence of non-fulfillment of those closing conditions are not considered as remote. 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.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	23. Related Party Transactions During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the total fund raised from individual investors through Solar Energy amounted to $95,665 ($50,806 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015), of which $8,199 ($3,010 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015) was settled by the coupons issued by the Company to individual investors and $85,495 ($56,713 for the three-month ended September 30, 2015) had been received by the Company from Solar Energy as of September 30, 2015 and Solar Energy charged $276 ($143 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015) 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had other receivable of $1,971 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the total fund redeemed to individual investors through Solar Energy amounted to $19,237 (nil for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015), of which $18,801 ($2,930 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015) had been repaid by the Company to Solar Energy as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had Other liabilities, related party of $436 and nil to Solar Energy for the fund repaid to the individual investors on behalf of the Company by Solar Energy. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued certain coupons to LDK Jiangxi and Liuxin with total face value of $779 (nil for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015) and $582 (nil for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015), respectively. LDK Jiangxi is a wholly owned subsidiary of LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (“LDK”), principle shareholder of SPI. Liuxin is wholly owned by Mr. Peng’s father. As of September 30, 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, by netting off Accounts payable, related parties of $779 in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and selling, marketing and customer service expenses of $582 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company received full payment of $582 from Liuxin for the face value of the coupons issued and therefore recorded the amounts received as a reduction of selling expenses. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Company paid commission fee of $3 million (nil for the three-month ended September 30, 2015) 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 recognized as a deduction of the funds raised and from additional paid in capital within the stockholders’ equity. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company owed to LDK of $50 and $nil, respectively, as LDK made salary payment to certain employees on behalf of the Company. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Solar Energy owed to the Company of $295 and nil, respectively, as the Company made salary payment to certain employees on behalf of Solar Energy. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Xiaofeng Peng, the chairman of the Company’s board of directors, borrowed the loan of $277 and $nil from the Company respectively. On March 30, 2015, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the “LDK Share Purchase Agreement”) with LDK’s subsidiaries (collectively, the “LDK Sellers”). Pursuant to the LDK Share Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to purchase from the LDK Sellers (i) 100% equity interest in LD THIN S.R.L, a limited liability company incorporated in Italy, (ii) 54.1% equity interest in LAEM S.R.L, a limited liability company incorporated in Italy, and (iii) 100% equity interest in North Palm Springs Investments, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in California, for an aggregate cash consideration of US$2,390. The Company will also assume certain indebtedness contemplated in the Share Purchase Agreement up to a maximum amount to be agreed upon among the Company and the LDK Sellers prior to the closing date of the transaction. In connection with the acquisition, the Company paid $2,000 as deposits for the acquisition, such prepaid deposits were subsequently agreed by both parties to offset against certain payable balances due to LDK HK on September 30, 2015. The transaction is subject to several closing conditions including completion of satisfactory due diligence. This acquisition has not been consummated as of the date of issuance of these financial statements. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had accounts payable to LDK of $5,480 and $34,150, respectively. The accounts payable balances as at September 30, 2015 were primarily related to purchases of solar cells for solar development projects. The solar cells purchased from LDK during the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 amounted to $8,378 (2014: nil) and $6,235 (2014: nil) respectively. The Company also consigned LDK to process solar cells to solar panels for its on-line platform business in 2015. The processing fee charged by LDK amounted to $3,466 (2014: nil) and $2,083 (2014: nil) during the nine-month and three-month periods ended September 30, 2015. The accounts payable balances as at December 31, 2014 were primarily related to an amount that are subject to settlement arrangement with LDK. On December 30, 2014, the Company entered into a Settlement and Mutual Release (“Settlement Agreement”) with LDK Solar International Company Limited (“LDK HK”), a wholly owned subsidiary of 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 net payables of $28,775 to LDK HK and its subsidiaries (“LDK HK Group”), in exchange for an aggregate settlement amount of $11,000. Under the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the settlement amount of $11,000 by instalments in accordance with a predetermined schedule and LDK HK has the right to cancel the agreed settlement if any instalment payment is delayed for more than 30 days. The agreed payment schedule for the settlement amount of $11,000 is $380 on or before December 31, 2014, $2,000 on or before January 31, 2015, $1,620 on or before March 30, 2015, $2,000 on or before June 30, 2015, $1,000 on or before July 31, 2015, $2,000 on or before September 30, 2015 and $2,000 on or before December 31, 2015 (“Last Payment Obligation”). As the settlement amount will only be fully paid by December 31, 2015 in accordance with the Settlement Agreement, the Company did not derecognize the waived liability of $17,775, being the difference between the amounts of $28,775 that were subject to the settlement and the agreed settlement amount of $11,000, from its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had made installment payments on schedule and had paid $9,000 in total to LDK HK in accordance with the Settlement Agreement. On September 30, 2015, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with LDK HK pursuant to which LDK HK agrees the Company to apply the prepayment of $2,000 made to LDK HK under the LDK Share Purchase Agreement to satisfy the Company’s Last Payment Obligation under Settlement Agreement. This agreement does not affect the validity of the Share Purchase Agreement and LDK HK and the Company agrees to postpone the dates of performance under the Share Purchase Agreement. The Company derecognized the waived liabilities of $17,775 from its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015 in accordance with the Settlement Agreement and the supplemental agreement since the Company had fully paid the settlement amount of $11,000. As LDK is the Company’s principal shareholder, this waived liabilities of $17,775 was accounted for as a capital transaction by increasing additional paid in capital as of September 30, 2015.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	24. Subsequent Events Pursuant to a written notice issued by Yes Yield on October 31, 2015, Yes Yield exercised the option to purchase 3,703,704 shares at a total consideration of $10,000 which will be paid on or prior to November 20, 2015. The Company also entered into a supplementary agreement with Yes Yield to extend its right to purchase the remaining 5,556,296 shares to June 30, 2016.

Description of Business and B32

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 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 asset/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.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 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 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. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 applies to inventory that is measured using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method and requires measurement of that inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.) [Member]
Allocation of Purchase Price	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
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Allocation of Purchase Price	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 1,037 Accounts receivable 6,124 Inventories, net 14,728 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 263 Other current assets 525 Intangible assets 4,579 Property, plant and equipment net 301 Deferred tax asset 295 Accounts payable (10,934 ) Accrued liabilities (534 ) Prepaid income tax 89 Advance from customers (230 ) Short term borrowings (4,305 ) Deferred tax liability (1,889 ) Identifiable net assets acquired (a) 10,049 Consideration (b) 15,578 Non-controlling interests (c) 2,709 Goodwill (b+c- a) 8,238

Project Assets (Tables)

Project Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Project Assets	Project assets consist of the following: September 30, December 31, Under development-Company as project owner $ 129,527 $ 75,346 Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction* 40,575 19,849 Total project assets 170,102 95,195 Current, net of impairment loss $ 101,687 $ 73,930 Noncurrent $ 68,415 $ 21,265 * All of the projects costs under this category were recorded as project assets, noncurrent.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu35

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Summary of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Value-added tax recoverable 9,353 3,969 Receivable for withholding individual income tax 15,199 — Deposit and prepayment for acquisitions 11,235 4,827 Other deposit and prepayment 8,815 846 Other receivable 3,238 — Others 1,561 1,288 Total of prepaid expenses and other current assets 49,401 10,930

Finance Lease Receivables (Tabl

Finance Lease Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Finance Lease Receivable	Finance lease receivables are as follows: September 30, December 31, Minimum lease payments receivable $ 29,445 $ — Unearned income (6,863 ) — Net finance lease receivables $ 22,582 $ — Current $ 11,758 $ — Noncurrent 10,824 —
Schedule of Future Maturities of Minimum Lease Payments Receivable	As at September 30, 2015, future maturities of minimum lease payments receivable are as follows: USD 2015 (remaining three months) $ 338 2016 11,582 2017 986 2018 1,089 2019 1,142 Thereafter 7,445 $ 22,582

Investment in EnSync, Inc. (Tab

Investment in EnSync, Inc. (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Consolidated Financial Information	Summarized consolidated financial information of ENS follows: September 30, Assets $ 49,575 Liabilities 18,233 July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015* Sales $ 273 Net loss $ (3,826 ) Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest (69 ) Net loss attributed to equity shareholders of ENS (3,757 ) Preferred stock dividend (77 ) Net loss attribute to common stockholders $ (3,834 ) Net loss attributable to SPI $ (651 ) * The results of ENS during the period from July 1, 2015 to July 13, 2015, the date of acquisition of the Purchased Common Stock is considered to be immaterial.
Schedule of Difference between Carrying Value of Investment in Purchased Common Stock and Underlying Equity in Net Assets	The difference between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the Purchased Common Stock and the amount of the underlying equity in the net assets of ENS is as follows: September 30, Underlying equity in net assets of ENS (17% of net assets of ENS) $ 5,037 Difference between the cost of investment and the underlying equity in net assets (2,444 ) Investment in Purchased Common Stock $ 2,593

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: September 30, December 31, Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar systems $ 115,352 $ 110,553 Plant and machinery 486 33 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 636 269 Automobile 185 75 Computers and software 1,747 1,296 Leasehold improvements 73 4 118,479 112,230 Less: accumulated depreciation (8,862 ) (5,792 ) 109,617 106,438 Construction in progress 5,353 — $ 114,970 $ 106,438

Other Liabilities (Tables)

Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Other Liabilities	September 30, December 31, Derivative liability — 11 Due to individual investors 1,692 — Other current liabilities 51,774 33,751 Total other current liabilities 53,466 33,762 Other non-current liabilities 5,425 25,535 Accrued warranty reserve 1,597 1,608 Total other non-current liabilities 7,022 27,143 Total of other liabilities 60,488 60,905

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Common Stock Issuances	The following table summarizes the Company’s issuance of common stock during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015: Purchasers Securities sold Date of securities Consideration Forwin International Financial 5,000,000 Shares January 16, 2015 $10,000, or $2 per Share Central Able Investment Limited 2,500,000 Shares January 30, 2015 $5,000, or $2 per Share CECEP HK 5,722,977 Shares January 30, 2015 $8,269 Restricted Stocks, Exercised 18,700,000 Shares 1 March 2, 2015 Nil Restricted Stocks, Exercised 500,000 Shares 1 March 26, 2015 Nil Huang Zheng 338,679 Shares 2 June 4, 2015 $726, or $2.14 per Share RE Capital Pte. Ltd. 2,849,741 Shares 3 June 2, 2015 $5,500 or $1.93 per Share Solar Juice 14,073,354 Shares 4 June 11, 2015 $22,718 or $1.61 per Share Yes Yield 9,260,000 Shares 5 July 1, 2015 $25,000 or $2.70 per Share Note: 1. 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. 2. The Company should issue 338,679 shares of Common Stock to Lang Lang, an internationally renowned pianist, as part of the consideration to be brand spokesman for Solarbao within three years. According to Lang Lang’s instruction, the Company directly issued the shares to Huang Zheng, Lang Lang’s agent, on June 4, 2015. 3. On June 2, 2015, the Company issued 2,849,741 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire all interest in solar PV projects of 30 MW in Japan from RE Capital Pte. Ltd. as described in Note 8 — Project assets. 4. On June 11, 2015, the Company issued 14,073,354 shares of Common Stock as part of the consideration to acquire the outstanding capital stock of Solar Juice as described in Note 4 — Business combination. 5. On May 4, 2015, Yes Yield entered into a common stock purchase agreement with the Company, whereby the Company agreed to issue common stock of 9,260,000 shares to Yes Yield at a price of $2.7 per share for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,000. The Company received the consideration of US$25,000 on June 26, 2015 and issued 9,260,000 shares of Common Stock accordingly, although the securities registration was completed on July 1, 2015.

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense, by Type of Awards	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 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Employee stock options $ 1,255 $ (169 ) $ 4,249 $ 208 Restricted stock grants 183 — 31,499 — Total stock-based compensation expense $ 1,438 $ (169 ) $ 35,748 $ 208
Summary of Stock-based Compensation by Line Item	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation by line item for the periods as follow (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 General and administrative $ 1,390 $ (169 ) $ 35,593 $ 206 Sales, marketing and customer service 48 — 155 2 Total stock-based compensation expense 1,438 (169 ) 35,748 208 Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense — — — — Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes $ 1,438 $ (169 ) $ 35,748 $ 208
Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Share-based Payment Awards	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-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Expected term 4 4 4 4 Risk-free interest rate 1.49% - 1.72% 1.25% 1.32% - 2.24% 1.25% Expected volatility 139% - 141% 1.26% 139% - 142% 95% Expected dividend yield 0% 0% 0% 0%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Shares Weighted- Shares Weighted- Outstanding as of January 1, 25,429,000 $ 0.84 7,114,250 $ 0.20 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 Granted 4,069,000 1.95 10,650,000 0.31 Exercised — — — — Forfeited (1,630,000 ) 1.33 (357,500 ) 0.29 Outstanding as of June 30, 36,060,000 $ 1.16 16,847,500 $ 0.27 Granted 16,542,000 1.80 7,120,000 0.73 Exercised — — (345,000 ) 0.46 Forfeited (2,429,500 ) 1.84 (3,763,500 ) 0.12 Outstanding as of September 30, 50,172,500 $ 1.34 19,859,000 $ 0.46
Summary of Exercise Price and Remaining Life Information about Options Exercisable	The following table presents the exercise price and remaining life information about options exercisable at September 30, 2015: Range of exercise price Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate $0.49 - $1.24 2,212,500 3.83 $ 0.77 $ 1,731 $0.31 - $0.48 2,893,750 3.80 0.34 3,501 $0.05 - $0.30 1,075,500 2.81 0.07 1,595 6,181,750 $ $ 6,827
Schedule of Changes in Nonvested Stock Awards	Changes in the Company’s non-vested stock awards are summarized as follows: Time-based Options Restricted Stock Shares Weighted Shares Weighted 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 Granted 4,069,000 1.95 — — Vested (2,462,500 ) 0.33 — — Forfeited (1,630,000 ) 1.33 — — Non-vested as of June 30, 2015 32,105,500 1.24 1,709,000 $ 1.66 Granted 16,542,000 84,400 1.79 Vested (2,227,250 ) — — Forfeited (2,429,500 ) — — Non-vested as of September 30, 2015 43,990,750 1,793,400 $ 1.79

Net Loss Per Share of Common 42

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share: For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Numerator: Net loss attributable to stockholders $ (30,827 ) $ (8,283 ) $ (82,431 ) $ (10,453 ) Denominator: Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares 627,792,718 337,671,188 606,117,633 246,240,974 Basic net loss per share $ (0.05 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.14 ) $ (0.04 ) Diluted net loss per share (0.05 ) (0.02 ) (0.14 ) (0.04 )

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	Future minimum payments under all of our non-cancelable operating leases are as follows as of September 30, 2015: 2015 (remaining three months) $ 973 2016 3,215 2017 1,857 2018 1,454 2019 902 2020 737 Thereafter 8,743 $ 17,881

Description of Business and B44

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015CNY (¥)¥ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued to settle trade payable			$ 7,633,000
Proceeds from coupons issued at face value	$ 582,000
Selling expenses	947,000		2,238,000
Amount to be rewarded for existing member per new referred member - Amount of referral fee to be paid to existing member | ¥				¥ 40
Total fund redeemed to individual investors			38,830,000
Other liabilities-due to related party	486,000		486,000
Proceeds from loans on solarbao platform through Solar Energy			85,219,000
Repayments of loans on solarbao platform through Solar Energy			$ 57,631,000
CECEP [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Acquisition date			2015-02	2015-02
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Acquisition date			2015-05	2015-05
Paid Back in 3 Days [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Pay back amount during promotion period | ¥				¥ 17.26
Number of days for promotion period			3 days	3 days
Paid Immediately [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Pay back amount during promotion period | ¥				¥ 9.86
Selling Expenses [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued and recorded expenses	389,000	$ 582,000	$ 559,000
Minimum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Funds raised from on-line products per unit | ¥ / shares				¥ 16.7
Lock-up period to be classified as noncurrent liabilities			1 year	1 year
Percentage of discount offered on investment units			5.00%	5.00%
Percentage of referral fee to be paid for existing member on fund principal raised from newly referred members			0.55%	0.55%
Maximum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Funds raised from on-line products per unit | ¥ / shares				¥ 200,000
Lock-up period to be classified as short-term borrowings			1 year	1 year
Percentage of discount offered on investment units			20.00%	20.00%
Percentage of referral fee to be paid for existing member on fund principal raised from newly referred members			0.80%	0.80%
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee			1.00%	1.00%
Total fund raised from individual investors	50,806,000		$ 95,665,000
Amount settled by coupon issued by Company to the third party vendors and two related parties	3,010,000		8,199,000
Total fund received from related party	56,713,000		85,495,000
Commission fee	$ 143,000		276,000
Total fund redeemed to individual investors			19,237,000
Payment to related party	$ 2,930,000		18,801,000
Other liabilities-due to related party	$ 436,000		$ 436,000
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Lock-up period for investment			0 days	0 days
Annual rate of return on investment	5.25%		5.25%
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Lock-up period for investment			1080 days	1080 days
Annual rate of return on investment	11.90%		11.90%
Vendors [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons face value	$ 1,998,000		$ 6,860,000
Coupons issued to settle trade payable			6,854,000
Coupons issued and recognized other receivable			6,000
Jiangxi LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons face value			779,000
Coupons issued to settle trade payable			779,000
Suzhou Liuxin Industry Ltd. [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons face value			582,000
Proceeds from coupons issued at face value	$ 582,000
Third Party Vendors and LDK Jiangxi [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Coupons issued and recognized other receivable			$ 7,639,000

Business Combinations - Additio

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, € in Thousands, ¥ in Millions	Sep. 01, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 01, 2015CNY (¥)	May. 28, 2015USD ($)shares	May. 08, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Apr. 30, 2015CNY (¥)	Feb. 16, 2015USD ($)shares	Feb. 16, 2015EUR (€)shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)MWhPlant	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Feb. 16, 2015EUR (€)	Jan. 15, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain from change in fair value of option									$ (10,793,000)	$ 310,000	$ (10,793,000)	$ 310,000
CECEP Solar Energy Hong Kong Co., Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired														100.00%
Payable settlement due to CECEP HK on behalf of CECEP							$ 8,967,000						€ 7,870
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares) | shares							5,722,977	5,722,977
Business combination cash paid and accounts payable total							$ 3,561,000	€ 3,125
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, cash and accounts payable to be paid to former owner							8,269,000
CECEP [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of photovoltaic plants | Plant											4
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh											4.3
Business combination, pro forma information, revenue of acquiree since acquisition date, actual							1,005,000
Business combination, pro forma information, earnings or (losses) of acquiree since acquisition date, actual							$ 197,000
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired			80.00%						20.00%		20.00%
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares) | shares			14,073,354
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, cash and accounts payable to be paid to former owner			$ 15,578,000
Business combination, pro forma information, revenue of acquiree since acquisition date, actual			20,600,000
Business combination, pro forma information, earnings or (losses) of acquiree since acquisition date, actual			(673,000)
Business acquisition, option to acquire remaining equity interest											20.00%
Contingency liability			700,000
Significant liability assumed			0
Aggregate consideration			$ 15,578,000
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Call option expiry date											May 28, 2016
Fair value of call option									$ 420,000		$ 420,000
Gain from change in fair value of option											$ 4,000
All-Zip [Member] | Scenario, Plan [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired					100.00%
Aggregate consideration					$ 44,350,000	¥ 275
Aggregate consideration, per share | $ / shares					$ 2.38
Convertergy I Holdings Limited [Member] | Scenario, Plan [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired				100.00%
Aggregate consideration				$ 13,800,000
Dingding Yiwei [Member] | Scenario, Plan [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired	60.00%	60.00%
Aggregate consideration	$ 4,720,000	¥ 30

Business Combinations - Allocat

Business Combinations - Allocation of Purchase Price (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 28, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill (b+c- a)			$ 75,969	$ 66,045
CECEP Solar Energy (Luxembourg) Private Limited Company (S.a.r.l.) [Member]
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,389
Accounts receivable		394
Other receivable		1,137
Property, plant and equipment net		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 (b)		11,830
Non-controlling interests (c)		1,236
Goodwill (b+c- a)		$ 1,417
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,037
Accounts receivable	6,124
Inventories, net	14,728
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	263
Other current assets	525
Intangible assets	4,579
Property, plant and equipment net	301
Deferred tax asset	295
Accounts payable	(10,934)
Accrued liabilities	(534)
Prepaid income tax	89
Advance from customers	(230)
Short term borrowings	(4,305)
Deferred tax liability	(1,889)
Identifiable net assets acquired (a)	10,049
Consideration (b)	15,578
Non-controlling interests (c)	2,709
Goodwill (b+c- a)	$ 8,238

Restricted Cash - Additional In

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 03, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 03, 2014CNY (¥)
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Deposits assets, current	$ 29,959	$ 337
Reserves	25,003	26,707
Short-term debt	104,648	$ 48,286	$ 5,506	¥ 35,000
Guarantee Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Reserves	24,230
Short-term debt			$ 5,729	¥ 35,000
Reserve [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Reserves	$ 5,729
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

Short-term Investments - Additi

Short-term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Nov. 24, 2014USD ($)	Nov. 13, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 03, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 03, 2014CNY (¥)	Nov. 24, 2014CNY (¥)	Nov. 13, 2014CNY (¥)
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Short-term investments	$ 19,309	$ 8,045					$ 27,354			¥ 120,000	¥ 50,000
Short-term investment, estimated rate of return	4.50%	5.00%
Investment income interest			$ 267	$ 197	$ 1,932	$ 967
Short-term debt			104,648		104,648		48,286	$ 5,506	¥ 35,000
Deposits assets, current			$ 29,959		29,959		$ 337
Financial product one [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Investment income interest					$ 199
Short term investment maturity date					May 14, 2015
Guarantee Deposit [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Short-term debt								5,729	¥ 35,000
Solar Tax Partners 1 L L C [Member] | Guarantee Deposit [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Deposits assets, current								$ 5,729
Solar Tax Partners 1 L L C [Member] | Guarantee Deposit [Member] | Financial product two [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Investment income interest					$ 433
Short term investment maturity date					May 22, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Maturity period of guarantee deposit					1 month
Minimum [Member] | Solar Tax Partners 1 L L C [Member] | Guarantee Deposit [Member]
Investments, all other investments [Abstract]
Maturity period of guarantee deposit					3 months

Accounts Receivable - Additiona

Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)MWh	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,586,000	$ 766,000	$ 5,586,000
Write-off for bad debts	$ 23,000		$ 23,000
Recovery of previously written off accounts
Minimum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Customer credit contract term			30 days
Maximum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Customer credit contract term			365 days
Xinyu Realforce Energy Co., Ltd. [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivable	$ 13,214,000	$ 6,794,000	$ 13,214,000	$ 24,840,000
Receivable	13,545,000		13,545,000
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh		21
Fair value of solar PV components sold to the company	11,292,000		$ 11,292,000
Sales-leaseback, lease term			10 years
Sales-leaseback, fixed interest rate			10.00%
Finance lease receivable	$ 11,292,000		$ 11,292,000
Gain or loss recognized in sales and leaseback arrangement			$ 0
Percentage of shares pledged to secure obligations			100.00%
Sales-leaseback, lease description			In April 2015, Realforce entered into a sales and leaseback arrangement with the Company for the purpose of settling part of the outstanding receivable arising from the EPC contract. At that time, the outstanding receivable balances due from Realforce amounted to $24,840. Pursuant to the sales and leaseback arrangement, Realforce sold the Company certain solar PV components installed in the 21MW rooftop PV station at their fair value of $11,292 and immediately leased them back over a 10-year period with annual interest rate of 10% per annum under a finance lease contract. As a result of the above arrangement, the Company reduced the receivable balance due from Realforce by the fair value of the solar PV components of $11,292 and recognized a finance lease receivable of $11,292 due from Realforce. No gain or loss was recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operation in relation to the above settlement through sales and leaseback arrangement. For the remaining $13,545 accounts receivable balances due from Realforce, the Company and Realforce have not reached any settlement arrangement up to the date of issuance of the financial statements. As at September 30, 2015, 100% equity interests in Realforce were pledged to the Company to secure its repayment obligations under the finance lease contract and the outstanding accounts receivable balances.

Project Assets - Additional Inf

Project Assets - Additional Information (Detail) £ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 18, 2014USD ($)System	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)MWh	Jun. 30, 2015GBP (£)MWh	Apr. 30, 2015USD ($)Companies	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)MWhSystemContract	Sep. 30, 2015GBP (£)MWhSystemContract	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)System
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							$ 170,102,000				$ 170,102,000			$ 95,195,000
Number of Solar PV systems acquired | System														43
Number of Solar PV systems sold | System											4	4
Cash consideration											$ 2,390,000
Project assets							68,415,000				68,415,000			$ 21,265,000
Revenue of projects							47,279,000			$ 22,646,000	107,158,000		$ 32,588,000
Profit from sale							6,430,000			$ 4,866,000	17,026,000		$ 5,624,000
Project assets							101,687,000				101,687,000			73,930,000
Receivable amount							63,390,000				$ 63,390,000			22,654,000
EPC [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Number of contracts | Contract											2	2
Revenue recognized with parties											$ 0
Solar Park Development 2 Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh											15	15
Proceed from sale consideration											$ 25,509,000	£ 16,664
Cost of projects											24,516,000			5,947,000
Purchase Agreement [Member] | RE Capital Pte Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Percentage of membership interest acquired						100.00%
Membership interest acquired, number of project companies | Companies						17
Business combination, consideration transferred						$ 8,800,000
Cash consideration						3,300,000
Business combination, consideration in shares						$ 5,500,000
Project assets							8,123,000				$ 8,123,000
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh											52	52
Sales Agreement [member] | Solar Park Development 4 Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh				6.2	6.2
Percentage of outstanding shares transferred				100.00%	100.00%
Proceed from sale consideration				$ 10,716,000	£ 7,000
Revenue of projects											$ 0
Profit from sale											0
Cost of projects											10,011,000			2,022,000
Sales Agreement [member] | Solar Park Development 3 Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh				9.5	9.5
Percentage of outstanding shares transferred				100.00%	100.00%
Proceed from sale consideration				$ 16,088,000	£ 10,532
Revenue of projects								$ 16,088,000
Cost of projects								$ 14,854,000
Receivable amount			$ 16,088,000
Mountain Creek Project [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Carrying amount of net of impairment							17,239,000				17,239,000			17,864,000
Impairment on project											2,787,000			2,055,000
Disposal group, including discontinued operation, consideration														17,864,000
Loss on contracts														17,239,000
Disposal group, including discontinued operation, revenue											0			0
Disposal group, including discontinued operation, gross profit (loss)											0			0
Mountain Creek Project [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Compensation paid to buyer under supplemental agreement			$ 625,000
Beaver Run Project [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Cost of projects											25,249,000			5,686,000
Sukagawa Project [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Carrying amount of net of impairment							5,008,000				5,008,000			$ 4,520,000
Impairment on project											$ 1,177,000
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh											25	25
Other Projects [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							15,811,000				$ 15,811,000			$ 15,364,000
Project assets							3,085,000				3,085,000			3,848,000
Cost of Goods Sold [Member] | Sukagawa Project [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Loss on contracts							1,177,000				1,177,000
Calwaii [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Number of Solar PV systems sold | System		4
Revenue of projects	$ 5,860,000								$ 0					0
Profit from sale									$ 0					0
Cost of projects	$ 5,850,000
Deferred Revenue		$ 5,860,000
Number of Solar PV systems | System		39
Funds received from sales							3,761,000				3,761,000
Calwaii [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Accounts receivable							2,099,000				2,099,000
United States [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							66,981,000				66,981,000			48,520,000
UK [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							40,753,000				40,753,000			14,000,000
Japan [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							20,582,000				20,582,000			12,826,000
China [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Project assets							41,786,000				41,786,000			19,849,000
Hawaii [Member] | Calwaii [Member]
Schedule Of Project Assets Details [Line Items]
Cost incurred for PV solar systems							$ 23,570,000				$ 23,570,000			$ 23,943,000

Project Assets - Summary of Pro

Project Assets - Summary of Project Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Project Assets [Abstract]
Under development-Company as project owner		$ 129,527	$ 75,346
Under development-Company expected to be project owner upon the completion of construction	[1]	40,575	19,849
Total project assets		170,102	95,195
Current, net of impairment loss		101,687	73,930
Noncurrent		68,415	21,265
Total project assets		$ 170,102	$ 95,195
[1]	All of the projects costs under this category were recorded as project assets, noncurrent.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu52

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets - Summary of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Value-added tax recoverable	$ 9,353	$ 3,969
Receivable for withholding individual income tax	15,199
Deposit and prepayment for acquisitions	11,235	4,827
Other deposit and prepayment	8,815	846
Other receivable	3,238
Others	427	1,288
Total of prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 49,401	$ 10,930

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu53

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets - Additional Information (Detail) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Oct. 22, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015CNY (¥)
Scenario, Plan [Member] | Guo Dian Nai Lun Te Zuo Qi Photovoltaic Power Generation LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets Details [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired	95.68%
Business acquisition aggregate purchase price	$ 100,000
Other Deposit and Prepayments [Member] | State Grid Corporation of China [Member]
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets Details [Line Items]
Deposit assets		$ 4,720	¥ 30,000

Finance Lease Receivables - Add

Finance Lease Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)CustomerEntity	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Investment income interest	$ 267	$ 197	$ 1,932	$ 967
Finance Lease Contracts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contract value	1,192		1,192
Investment income interest	$ 514		$ 899
Sales and Leaseback Arrangements [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of EPC customers | Customer			2
Number of third party entities | Entity			6

Finance Lease Receivables - Sch

Finance Lease Receivables - Schedule of Finance Lease Receivable (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Net financial receivables:
Minimum lease payments receivable	$ 29,445
Unearned income	(6,863)
Net finance lease receivables	22,582
Current	11,758
Noncurrent	10,824
Net finance lease receivables	$ 22,582

Finance Lease Receivables - S56

Finance Lease Receivables - Schedule of Future Maturities of Minimum Lease Payments Receivable (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Financing Receivable, Net [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$ 338
2,016	11,582
2,017	986
2,018	1,089
2,019	1,142
Thereafter	7,445
Net finance lease receivables	$ 22,582

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Add

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 13, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Warrant vesting, description				The Warrant vests and becomes exercisable once the Company purchases and pays for 40 MW of the Supply Agreement, and will not vest or become exercisable if those purchases and payments do not occur before the termination of the Warrant, which will occur, whether the Warrant has vested or not, on July 13, 2019. Prior to exercise, the Warrant provides the Company with no voting rights. The Warrant may not be partially exercised. As the closing price of ENS’s common stock at September 30, 2015 was below the exercise price of the Warrant, the Warrant was out-of-the-money at that date.
Derivative asset			$ 6,154,000	$ 6,154,000
EnSync, Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Change in fair value of warrant			10,793,000	10,793,000
Derivative asset			$ 16,947,000	$ 16,947,000
Investments in purchased common stock	$ 3,244,000
Investment in convertible preferred stock	$ 13,199,000
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business combination, consideration transferred		$ 33,390,000
Convertible preferred stock, aggregate number of common stock upon conversion		42,000,000
Purchased convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion				28,048 shares of the ENS’s convertible preferred stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”) which are convertible into an aggregate of 42,000,000 shares of common stock, representing a purchase price of $0.6678 per common stock on an as-if converted basis, over a four-year period with 25% of issued Convertible Preferred Stock became convertible in each of the next four years if the Company meets certain conditions relating to the Company’s purchases of minimum megawatt of solar related products from ENS in each of the next four years as set out in the Securities Purchase Agreement.
Convertible preferred stock, conversion period		4 years
Percentage of convertible preferred stock convertible		25.00%
Warrants to purchase common shares, aggregate purchase price		$ 36,729,000
Ownership percentage	17.00%
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Securities Purchase Agreement [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares)		28,048
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 0.6678
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Supply Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchased convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion				The first one-fourth (the “Series C-1 Preferred Stock”) of the Purchased Preferred Shares only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for 5 megawatts (“MW”) that are purchased by SPI in accordance with the Supply Agreement; the second one-fourth (the “Series C-2 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 15 MW worth of the Supply Agreement; the third one-fourth (the “Series C-3 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 25 MW worth of the Supply Agreement; and the last one fourth (the “Series C-4 Preferred Stock”) only become convertible upon the receipt of final payment for an aggregate of 40 MW worth of the Supply Agreement. The Convertible Preferred Stock will not become convertible unless the payment for the Supply Agreement is received. If the Company complies with the provisions of the Supply Agreement, it will make sufficient purchases for each tranche of the Convertible Preferred Stock to vest and become convertible over the next four years. However, the Convertible Preferred Shares will become convertible at any time when the relevant payments are received by ENS for the specified purchases, even if the payments are made later or earlier than the schedule set out in the Supply Agreement.
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Supply Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Dividends common stock not redeem	$ 100,000
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Supply Agreement [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred stock liquidation preference amount	$ 28,048,000
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Governance Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchased convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion				Following the time at which the Series C-2 Preferred Stock shall have become convertible in full, SPI shall be entitled to nominate a total of two directors and (2) following the time at which the Series C-3 Preferred Stock shall have become convertible in full, SPI shall be entitled to nominate a total of three directors. Provided in no event shall the Company be entitled to nominate a number of directors to the Board that would represent a percentage of the Board greater than the percentage determined by dividing the number of Common Stock Equivalents held by the Company by the sum of (A) the total shares of ENS’s Common Stock outstanding and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock held by the Company is convertible.
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Governance Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, aggregate number of common stock upon conversion	25,000,000
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Governance Agreement [Member] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares)	10,000
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares)		8,000,000
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 0.6678
EnSync, Inc [Member] | Common Stock Warrants [Member] | Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares)		50,000,000
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 0.7346

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Sum

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Summary of Consolidated Financial Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to SPI	$ (651)	$ (651)
EnSync, Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Assets	49,575	49,575
Liabilities	18,233	$ 18,233
Sales	273
Net loss	(3,826)
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest	(69)
Net loss attributed to equity shareholders of ENS	(3,757)
Preferred stock dividend	(77)
Net loss attribute to common stockholders	(3,834)
Net loss attributable to SPI	$ (651)

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Sch

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Schedule of Difference between Carrying Value of Investment in Purchased Common Stock and Underlying Equity in Net Assets (Detail) - EnSync, Inc [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Underlying equity in net assets of ENS (17% of net assets of ENS)	$ 5,037
Difference between the cost of investment and the underlying equity in net assets	(2,444)
Investment in Purchased Common Stock	$ 2,593

Investment in EnSync, Inc - S60

Investment in EnSync, Inc - Schedule of Difference between Carrying Value of Investment in Purchased Common Stock and Underlying Equity in Net Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2015
EnSync, Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of net assets	17.00%

Property, Plant and Equipment -

Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 118,479	$ 112,230
Less: accumulated depreciation	(8,862)	(5,792)
Property plant and equipment, net before capital leased assets	109,617	106,438
Construction in progress	5,353
Property plant and equipment, net	114,970	106,438
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	115,352	110,553
Plant and Machinery [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	486	33
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	636	269
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	185	75
Computers and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	1,747	1,296
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 73	$ 4

Fair Value Measurement - Additi

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	May. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset	$ 6,154,000		$ 6,154,000
Change in fair value of derivative asset/liability	(10,793,000)	$ 310,000	(10,793,000)	$ 310,000
Assets, fair value disclosure, nonrecurring	0		0			$ 0
Liabilities, fair value disclosure, nonrecurring	$ 0		$ 0			0
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired	20.00%		20.00%		80.00%
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Gain from change in fair value recorded as other income			$ 4,000
Change in fair value of derivative asset/liability			4,000
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member] | Call Option [Member] | Other Financial Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Fair value of call option	$ 424,000		424,000		$ 420,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Measurement Details [Line Items]
Convertible debt, fair value disclosures	$ 52,968,000		$ 52,968,000			$ 39,423,000

Short Term Borrowings - Additio

Short Term Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) ¥ in Thousands, AUD in Thousands, $ in Thousands

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015CNY (¥)

Aug. 07, 2015USD ($)

Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015CNY (¥)

Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015CNY (¥)

Sep. 30, 2015AUD

Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015CNY (¥)

Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 03, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 03, 2014CNY (¥)

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 104,648

$ 104,648

$ 48,286

$ 5,506

¥ 35,000

Fund received from individual investors

148,815

$ (4,250)

First installment of short-term debt received

85,219

Loans Payable [Member] | Solar Juice Pty Ltd Majority Shareholders [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

353

$ 353

AUD 514

Bank of Suzhou [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 4,720

¥ 30,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

6.60%

6.60%

Debt instrument repayment date

Jun. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Westpac Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument repayment date start

Oct. 5, 2015

Oct. 5, 2015

Debt instrument repayment date, end

Mar. 21, 2016

Mar. 21, 2016

Westpac Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member] | Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 4,045

$ 4,045

AUD 5,762

Westpac Bank [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Loans Payable [Member] | Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument fixed interest rate

2.32%

2.32%

2.32%

2.32%

Westpac Bank [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Loans Payable [Member] | Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument fixed interest rate

5.14%

5.14%

5.14%

5.14%

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 42,072

$ 42,072

Fund received from individual investors

95,665

¥ 608,008

Outstanding borrowings

46,284

46,284

Long term borrowings

$ 4,212

$ 4,212

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument fixed interest rate

5.25%

5.25%

5.25%

5.25%

Withdrawal lock-up period of principal amount

0 days

0 days

Solar Energy's Online Platform [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument fixed interest rate

11.90%

11.90%

11.90%

11.90%

Withdrawal lock-up period of principal amount

1080 days

1080 days

CEV IV 01 Holdings Limited [Member] | Convertergy I Holdings Limited [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Financial support provided to acquiree

$ 870

¥ 5,527

CEV IV 01 Holdings Limited [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 1,500

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

10.00%

Debt instrument repayment date

Feb. 7, 2016

Feb. 7, 2016

Debt instrument, maturity period

6 months

First installment of short-term debt received

$ 750

Short-term debt, terms

CEV agreed to provide the Company a loan of $1,500 at an interest rate of 10% per annum Pursuant to the loan agreement, the loan amount should be solely used to finance the daily operation and asset restructure of Convertergy Energy, a subsidiary of Convertergy I Holdings.

CEV agreed to provide the Company a loan of $1,500 at an interest rate of 10% per annum Pursuant to the loan agreement, the loan amount should be solely used to finance the daily operation and asset restructure of Convertergy Energy, a subsidiary of Convertergy I Holdings.

Loan One [Member] | China Minsheng Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 5,506

¥ 35,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

5.88%

5.88%

Loan One [Member] | China Minsheng Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Debt instrument, collateral amount

$ 18,881

¥ 120,000

Loan One [Member] | China Minsheng Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member] | Bank Time Deposits [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Deposit assets

$ 5,729

Loan Two [Member] | China Minsheng Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 47,202

¥ 300,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

5.09%

5.09%

Debt instrument repayment date

Jul. 1, 2015

Jul. 1, 2015

Loan Three [Member] | China Minsheng Bank [Member] | Loans Payable [Member]

Schedule Of Loans Payable Details [Line Items]

Short-term debt

$ 47,202

$ 47,202

¥ 300,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

4.83%

4.83%

4.83%

4.83%

Debt instrument repayment date

Mar. 30, 2016

Mar. 30, 2016

Other Liabilities - Summary of

Other Liabilities - Summary of Other Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability		$ 11
Due to individual investors	$ 1,692
Other current liabilities	51,774	33,751
Total other current liabilities	53,466	33,762
Other non-current liabilities	5,425	25,535
Accrued warranty reserve	1,597	1,608
Total other non-current liabilities	7,022	27,143
Total of other liabilities	$ 60,488	$ 60,905

Other Liabilities - Additional

Other Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Unpaid purchase consideration for acquisition of business and project assets	$ 50,816	$ 33,751

Convertible Bonds - Additional

Convertible Bonds - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jun. 15, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 26, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 02, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Note$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2015$ / shares	Dec. 12, 2014$ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from convertible debt					$ 20,000	$ 11,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock					$ 37,001	$ 35,745
Options expiration date					Jun. 30, 2016
Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of promissory notes | Note				3
Proceeds from convertible debt				$ 35,000
Debt conversion, converted instrument, shares issued (in shares) | shares				17,500,000
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 2			$ 2.66
Convertible promissory notes due and payable date					Jun. 11, 2016
Vision Edge Limited [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from convertible debt	$ 20,000
Debt conversion, converted instrument, shares issued (in shares) | shares	7,407,410
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.70
Convertible promissory notes due and payable date					Jun. 29, 2016
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 20,000
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.70
Options expiration date					Dec. 15, 2015
Common Stock [Member] | Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 2
Common Stock [Member] | Vision Edge Limited [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock issued during period shares option agreement (in shares) | shares	7,407,410
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.7
Options expiration date					Dec. 15, 2015
Convertible Bond [Member] | Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible promissory notes due and payable date					Jun. 29, 2016
Proceeds from issuance or sale of equity				$ 19,705
Debt instrument, unamortized discount				295
Employee Stock Options [Member] | Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance or sale of equity				$ 295

Stock Option - Additional Infor

Stock Option - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

Jun. 15, 2015

May. 04, 2015

Mar. 26, 2015

Mar. 15, 2015

Mar. 02, 2015

Jan. 30, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 16, 2015

Dec. 15, 2014

Dec. 12, 2014

Feb. 15, 2012

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Options expiration date

Jun. 30, 2016

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$ 37,001

$ 35,745

Vision Edge Limited [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)

$ 2.70

Options expiration date

Dec. 15, 2015

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$ 20,000

Union Sky [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option 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 Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)

$ 10,000

Options expiration date

Mar. 15, 2015

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$ 10,000

Cathay Bank [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Long-term Line of Credit (in Dollars)

$ 9,000

Border Dragon [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)

$ 5,000

Options expiration date

Mar. 15, 2015

Central Able [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants (in Dollars)

$ 5,000

Options expiration date

Apr. 22, 2015

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$ 5,000

Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Options expiration date

Nov. 4, 2015

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$ 25,002

Common Stock [Member] | Vision Edge Limited [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)

$ 2.7

Options expiration date

Dec. 15, 2015

Stock issued during period shares option agreement (in shares)

7,407,410

Common Stock [Member] | Brilliant King, Poseidon and Union Sky [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option 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 Stock Option 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 Stock Option 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 Stock Option 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 Stock Option 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] | Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option Details [Line Items]

Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)

$ 2.7

Stock issued during period shares option agreement (in shares)

9,260,000

Warrant [Member] | Cathay Bank [Member]

Schedule Of Stock Option 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 - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	Sep. 30, 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

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Common Stock Issuances (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2015	Jun. 11, 2015	Jun. 04, 2015	Jun. 02, 2015	Mar. 26, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 16, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold					500,000	18,700,000
Consideration (in Dollars)									$ 37,001	$ 35,745
Forwin [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold								5,000,000
Consideration (in Dollars)								$ 10,000
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
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
Huang Zheng [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold			338,679
Consideration (in Dollars)			$ 726
Consideration (in Dollars per share)			$ 2.14
RE Capital Pte Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold				2,849,741
Consideration (in Dollars)				$ 5,500
Consideration (in Dollars per share)				$ 1.93
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold		14,073,354
Consideration (in Dollars)		$ 22,718
Consideration (in Dollars per share)		$ 1.61
Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details Summary Of Common Stock Issuances [Line Items]
Securities sold	9,260,000
Consideration (in Dollars)	$ 25,000
Consideration (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.70

Stockholders' Equity - Additi70

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2015$ / sharesshares	Jun. 26, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 11, 2015$ / sharesshares	Jun. 04, 2015shares	Jun. 02, 2015MWh$ / sharesshares	Mar. 26, 2015shares	Mar. 02, 2015shares	Mar. 31, 2015shares	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues						500,000	18,700,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock exercised during period, shares								19,200,000
Brand Spokesman [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Brand name sponsorship period				3 years
Brand Spokesman [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues				338,679
RE Capital Pte Ltd [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues					2,849,741
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 1.93
RE Capital Pte Ltd [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues					2,849,741
Power generating capacity (in megawatt-hours) | MWh					30
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues			14,073,354
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 1.61
Solar Juice Pty Ltd. [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues			14,073,354
Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues	9,260,000
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.70
Yes Yield Investments Limited [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Details [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, new issues		9,260,000
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 2.7
Stock issued during period, value, new issues (in dollars) | $		$ 25,000
Stock purchase agreement date									May 4, 2015

Stock-based Compensation - Summ

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense, by Type of Awards (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,438	$ (169)	$ 35,748	$ 208
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,255	$ (169)	4,249	$ 208
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 183		$ 31,499

Stock-based Compensation - Su72

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock-based Compensation by Line Item (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,438	$ (169)	$ 35,748	$ 208
Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes	1,438	(169)	35,748	208
General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	1,390	$ (169)	35,593	206
Sales, Marketing and Customer Service [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 48		$ 155	$ 2

Stock-based Compensation - Addi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	Jun. 29, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions, expected term			4 years			4 years	4 years	4 years
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions, expected dividend rate			0.00%			0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Shares, outstanding (in shares)			676,867,538				676,867,538
2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Reserved share, percentage of outstanding shares			9.00%				9.00%
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant (in shares)			0				0
Performance-based Awards [Member]
Schedule Of 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]
Schedule Of 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			16,542,000	4,069,000	8,682,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Total number of shares granted	20,468,400
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Core Management [Member]
Schedule Of 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]
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period	4 years
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of 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]
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, expiration period							5 years
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of 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]
Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Details [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, expiration period							10 years

Stock-based Compensation - Assu

Stock-based Compensation - Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Share-based Payment Awards (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected term	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	1.49%		1.32%
Risk-free interest rate		1.25%		1.25%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	1.72%		2.24%
Expected volatility		1.26%		95.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	139.00%		139.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	141.00%		142.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stock-based Compensation - Su75

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Shares, Beginning balance	36,060,000	33,621,000	25,429,000	16,847,500	6,555,000	7,114,250
Shares Granted	16,542,000	4,069,000	8,682,000	7,120,000	10,650,000
Shares Exercised				(345,000)
Shares Forfeited	(2,429,500)	(1,630,000)	(490,000)	(3,763,500)	(357,500)	(559,250)
Shares, Ending balance	50,172,500	36,060,000	33,621,000	19,859,000	16,847,500	6,555,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 1.16	$ 1.08	$ 0.84	$ 0.27	$ 0.19	$ 0.20
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	1.80	1.95	1.83	0.73	0.31
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised				0.46
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	1.84	1.33	2.09	0.12	0.29	0.29
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 1.34	$ 1.16	$ 1.08	$ 0.46	$ 0.27	$ 0.19

Stock-based Compensation - Su76

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Exercise Price and Remaining Life Information about Options Exercisable (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares Exercisable (in Shares) | shares	6,181,750
Aggregate Intrinsic value (in Dollars) | $	$ 6,827
Price Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price	$ 0.49
Upper exercise price	$ 1.24
Shares Exercisable (in Shares) | shares	2,212,500
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 9 months 29 days
Weighted average exercise price	$ 0.77
Aggregate Intrinsic value (in Dollars) | $	$ 1,731
Price Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower exercise price	$ 0.31
Upper exercise price	$ 0.48
Shares Exercisable (in Shares) | shares	2,893,750
Weighted average remaining contractual life	3 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average exercise price	$ 0.34
Aggregate Intrinsic value (in Dollars) | $	$ 3,501
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	$ 0.30
Shares Exercisable (in Shares) | shares	1,075,500
Weighted average remaining contractual life	2 years 9 months 22 days
Weighted average exercise price	$ 0.07
Aggregate Intrinsic value (in Dollars) | $	$ 1,595

Stock-based Compensation - Sche

Stock-based Compensation - Schedule of Changes in Nonvested Stock Awards (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Time-based Options [Member]
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Non Vested Stock Awards [Line Items]
Non-vested Shares, Beginning balance	32,105,500	32,129,000	23,937,000
Shares Granted	16,542,000	4,069,000	8,682,000
Shares Vested	(2,227,250)	(2,462,500)
Shares Forfeited	(2,429,500)	(1,630,000)	(490,000)
Non-vested Shares, Ending balance	43,990,750	32,105,500	32,129,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 1.09	$ 0.84
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted (in Dollars per share)		1.95	1.83
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested (in Dollars per share)		0.33
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited (in Dollars per share)		1.33	2.09
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Non-vested (in Dollars per share)		$ 1.24	$ 1.09
Restricted Stock [Member]
Schedule of Stockbased Compensation Details Non Vested Stock Awards [Line Items]
Non-vested Shares, Beginning balance	1,709,000	1,709,000	525,000
Shares Granted	84,400		20,384,000
Shares Vested			(19,200,000)
Non-vested Shares, Ending balance	1,793,400	1,709,000	1,709,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.66	$ 1.66	$ 0.75
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted (in Dollars per share)	1.79		1.66
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested (in Dollars per share)			1.67
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Non-vested (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 1.66	$ 1.66

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, at federal statutory income tax rate, percent	2.50%	(12.90%)	(0.60%)	(9.90%)
Undistributed earnings	$ 2,400,000		$ 2,400,000		$ 8,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

Net Loss Per Share of Common 79

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to stockholders	$ (30,827)	$ (8,283)	$ (82,431)	$ (10,453)
Denominator:
Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares	627,792,718	337,671,188	606,117,633	246,240,974
Basic net loss per share	$ (0.05)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)
Diluted net loss per share	$ (0.05)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Financing and capital lease obligations non current	$ 8,948,000		$ 8,948,000		$ 10,092,000
Operating leases, rent expense	550,000	$ 120,000	$ 1,905,000	$ 236,000
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		0
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term purchase commitment, amount			85,813,000		59,354,000
Aerojet1 Project [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Guarantees, fair value disclosure	60,000		60,000		71,000
Aerojet1 Project [Member] | Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Financing and capital lease obligations total	9,959,000		9,959,000		10,911,000
Financing and capital lease obligations non current	8,948,000		8,948,000		10,092,000
Financing and capital lease obligations recorded as other current liabilities	1,011,000		1,011,000		$ 819,000
Greystone [Member]
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, equity, carrying amount	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000

Commitments and Contingencies81

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining three months)	$ 973
2,016	3,215
2,017	1,857
2,018	1,454
2,019	902
2,020	737
Thereafter	8,743
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$ 17,881

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Total fund redeemed to individual investors										$ 38,830,000
Other liabilities, related party	$ 486,000			$ 486,000						486,000
Amount of recognized coupons issued										7,633,000
Selling, marketing and customer service expenses				5,765,000			$ 668,000			18,169,000	$ 1,025,000
Proceeds from coupons issued at face value				582,000
Amount of prepaid deposits for acquisition	2,543,000			2,543,000						2,543,000
Cash consideration										2,390,000
Accounts payable, related parties, current	$ 5,480,000	$ 34,150,000		$ 5,480,000						$ 5,480,000
LD THIN S.R.L, [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%			100.00%						100.00%
LAEM S.R.L, [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	54.10%			54.10%						54.10%
North Palm Springs Investments, LLC, [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%			100.00%						100.00%
SUPERMERCY Limited [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee										3.00%
Commission fee										$ 3,000,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Face value of coupons issued										779,000
Amount of recognized coupons issued					$ 779,000
Selling, marketing and customer service expenses					$ 582,000
Due to employees	$ 50,000			$ 50,000						50,000
Amount of prepaid deposits for acquisition	2,000,000			2,000,000						2,000,000
Accounts payable, related parties, current	5,480,000	$ 34,150,000		5,480,000						5,480,000
Processing fee, related parties	3,466,000			3,466,000						3,466,000
Debt settlement, waiver paid amount	11,000,000
Waived liabilities accounted for capital transaction by increase additional paid in capital	17,775,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Amount of prepaid deposits for acquisition	2,000,000			2,000,000						2,000,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Solar Panels [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Related party transaction, purchases from related party				6,235,000						8,378,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Settlement and Mutual Release [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Debt settlement, waiver offered amount		11,000,000
Accounts payable, related parties, net		$ 28,775,000
Number of days to cancel discount		30 days
Related party transaction, amounts of transaction		$ 380,000	$ 2,000,000			$ 1,620,000		$ 2,000,000	$ 1,000,000	9,000,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Settlement and Mutual Release Accounts Payable Waivable [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Accounts payable, related parties, current		$ 17,775,000
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member] | Settlement and Mutual Release [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Related party transaction, amounts of transaction										2,000,000		$ 2,000,000
Solar Energy Ecommerce Shangai Limited [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Total fund raised from individual investors				50,806,000						95,665,000
Amount settled by coupon issued to individual investors				3,010,000						8,199,000
Total fund received from related party				56,713,000						85,495,000
Other receivables from related party	1,971,000			1,971,000						$ 1,971,000
Percentage of fund principal for commission fee										1.00%
Commission fee				$ 143,000						$ 276,000
Total fund redeemed to individual investors										19,237,000
Payment to related party				$ 2,930,000						18,801,000
Other liabilities, related party	436,000			436,000						436,000
Due from employees	295,000			295,000						295,000
Suzhou Liuxin Industry Ltd. [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Face value of coupons issued										582,000
Proceeds from coupons issued at face value				582,000
Chairman of Board of Directors [Member]
Schedule Of Related Party Transaction Details [Line Items]
Loan borrowed by the chairman of board of directors	$ 277,000			$ 277,000						$ 277,000

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares issued on exercise of stock option		345,000
Options expiration date			Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares issued on exercise of stock option	3,703,704
Total consideration from stock option exercised	$ 10,000
Stock issued during period shares option agreement (in shares)	5,556,296