First Solar (FSLR) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document

Document (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1274494
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$0.00
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		100,820,681

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales	$469,209	$950,158
Cost of sales	430,228	713,447
Gross profit	38,981	236,711
Operating expenses:
Research and development	34,756	38,773
Selling, general and administrative	67,688	58,664
Production start-up	6,650	0
Total operating expenses	109,094	97,437
Operating (loss) income	-70,113	139,274
Foreign currency loss, net	-1,596	-579
Interest income	5,064	4,321
Interest expense, net	-194	-410
Other expense, net	-1,259	-1,774
(Loss) income before taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-68,098	140,832
Income tax benefit (expense)	5,980	-28,853
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	-174	28
Net (loss) income	($62,292)	$112,007
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	($0.62)	$1.12
Diluted	($0.62)	$1.10
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic	100,375	99,591
Diluted	100,375	101,822

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net (loss) income	($62,292)	$112,007
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-15,393	60
Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments	38,287	20,176
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	-1,560	-2,345
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,334	17,891
Comprehensive (loss) income	($40,958)	$129,898

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$779,908	$1,482,054
Marketable securities	704,674	509,032
Accounts receivable trade, net	254,217	135,434
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage	81,587	76,971
Inventories	496,599	505,088
Balance of systems parts	119,959	125,083
Deferred project costs	311,118	29,354
Deferred tax assets, net	73,419	91,565
Assets held for sale	20,728	20,728
Notes receivable, affiliate	44,210	12,487
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	263,284	202,670
Total current assets	3,149,703	3,190,466
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,368,443	1,402,304
PV solar power systems, net	45,723	46,393
Project assets and deferred project costs	833,154	810,348
Deferred tax assets, net	210,536	222,326
Restricted cash and investments	421,875	407,053
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures	257,321	255,029
Goodwill	84,985	84,985
Other intangibles, net	118,364	119,236
Inventories	115,578	115,617
Note receivable, affiliate	9,127	9,127
Other assets	59,865	61,555
Total assets	6,674,674	6,724,439
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	202,755	214,656
Income taxes payable	2,882	1,727
Accrued expenses	436,913	388,156
Current portion of long-term debt	42,123	51,918
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings	171,331	195,346
Payments and billings for deferred project costs	71,639	60,591
Other current liabilities	57,263	88,702
Total current liabilities	984,906	1,001,096
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	236,155	246,307
Long-term debt	200,386	165,003
Other liabilities	266,121	284,546
Total liabilities	1,687,568	1,696,952
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 100,791,414 and 100,288,924 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	101	100
Additional paid-in capital	2,698,134	2,697,558
Accumulated earnings	2,217,397	2,279,689
Accumulated other comprehensive income	71,474	50,140
Total stockholders' equity	4,987,106	5,027,487
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$6,674,674	$6,724,439

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	100,791,414	100,288,942
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	100,791,414	100,288,942

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	($62,292)	$112,007
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash used in operating activities [Abstract]
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	63,260	60,720
Share-based compensation	12,079	13,298
Remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities	13,204	1,415
Deferred income taxes	28,141	13,744
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	-7,747	-11,680
Other, net	2,980	4,798
Changes in operating assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts receivable trade, unbilled and retainage	-125,066	-108,182
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,985	1,872
Other assets	-347	-738
Inventories and balance of systems parts	9,433	54,627
Project assets and deferred project costs	-301,943	30,661
Accounts payable	3,595	-69,197
Income taxes payable	-66,815	11,066
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,570	-448,921
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	-5,982	16,334
Net cash used in operating activities	-417,915	-318,176
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-55,342	-50,813
Purchases of marketable securities	-374,128	0
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities	176,759	33,700
Investment in note receivable, affiliate	-45,288	0
Payments received on notes receivable, affiliate	11,671	0
Change in restricted cash	-2,109	-1,476
Purchase of equity and cost method investments	-1,508	-290
Other investing activities	-688	-1,502
Net cash used in investing activities	-290,633	-20,381
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	-21,122	-25,110
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt, net of discounts and issuance costs	58,089	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements	7,747	11,680
Contingent consideration payments and other financing activities	-24,160	-448
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	20,554	-13,878
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-14,152	2,557
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-702,146	-349,878
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	1,482,054	1,325,072
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	779,908	975,194
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities	38,640	42,933
Acquisitions currently or previously funded by liabilities and contingent consideration	$29,850	$97,273

1_Basis_of_Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the SEC.
	Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications did not have a material effect on the interim financial statements. In addition, the method of reporting the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows was changed from the direct to the indirect method.
	Unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” and “First Solar” refer to First Solar, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

2_Summary_of_Significant_Accou

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, inventory valuation, recoverability of project assets, estimates of future cash flows from and the economic useful lives of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, certain accrued liabilities, income taxes and tax valuation allowances, reportable segment allocations, product warranties and manufacturing excursions, accrued collection and recycling expense, and applying the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and goodwill. Despite our intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions.
	Revenue Recognition — Systems Business. We recognize revenue for arrangements entered into by our systems business generally using two revenue recognition models, following the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, Accounting for Long-term Construction Contracts, or ASC 360, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate, for arrangements which include land or land rights.
	For systems business sales arrangements that do not include land or land rights and thus are accounted for under ASC 605, we use the percentage-of-completion method, as described further below, using actual costs incurred over total estimated costs to develop and construct a project (including module costs) as our standard accounting policy, unless we cannot make reasonably dependable estimates of the costs to complete the contract, in which case we would use the completed contract method.
	For systems business sales arrangements that are accounted for under ASC 360 where we convey control of land or land rights, we record the sale as revenue using one of the following revenue recognition methods, based upon evaluation of the substance and form of the terms and conditions of such real estate sales arrangements:
	(i)	We apply the percentage-of-completion method, as further described below, to certain real estate sales arrangements where we convey control of land or land rights, when a sale has been consummated, we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer, the initial and continuing investment criteria have been met, we have the ability to estimate our costs and progress toward completion, and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. When evaluating whether the usual risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer, we consider whether we have or may be contingently required to have any prohibited forms of continuing involvement with the project. Prohibited forms of continuing involvement in a real estate sales arrangement may include us retaining risks or rewards associated with the project that are not customary with the range of risks or rewards that an engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) contractor may assume. The initial and continuing investment requirements, which demonstrate a buyer’s commitment to honor its obligations for the sales arrangement, can typically be met through the receipt of cash or an irrevocable letter of credit from a highly creditworthy lending institution.
	(ii)	Depending on whether the initial and continuing investment requirements have been met and whether collectability from the buyer is reasonably assured, we may align our revenue recognition and release of project assets or deferred project costs to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer if the sale has been consummated and we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer.
	For any systems business sales arrangements containing multiple deliverables (including our solar modules) not required to be accounted for under ASC 605 (long-term construction contracts) or ASC 360 (real estate), we analyze each activity within the sales arrangement to adhere to the separation guidelines of ASC 605 for multiple-element arrangements. We allocate revenue for any transactions involving multiple elements to each unit of accounting based on its relative selling price and recognize revenue for each unit of accounting when all revenue recognition criteria for a unit of accounting have been met.
	Revenue Recognition — Percentage-of-Completion. In applying the percentage-of-completion method, we use the actual costs incurred relative to the estimated costs to complete (including module costs) in order to estimate the progress towards completion to determine the amount of revenue and profit to recognize. Costs incurred include all installed direct materials, installed solar modules, labor, subcontractor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor and supplies. We recognize direct material and solar module costs as incurred when the direct materials and solar modules have been installed in the project. When contracts specify that title to direct materials and solar modules transfers to the customer before installation has been performed, we will not recognize revenue or the associated costs until those materials are installed and have met all other revenue recognition requirements. We consider direct materials and solar modules to be installed when they are permanently placed or affixed to the solar power system as required by engineering designs. Solar modules manufactured and owned by us that will be used in our solar power systems remain within inventory until such modules are installed in a system.
	The percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition requires us to make estimates of contract revenues and costs to complete our projects. In making such estimates, management judgments are required to evaluate significant assumptions including the amount of net contract revenues, the cost of materials and labor, expected labor productivity, the impact of potential variances in schedule completion, and the impact of any penalties, claims, change orders, or performance incentives.
	If estimated total costs on any contract are greater than the contract revenues, we recognize the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of the revisions to estimates related to contract revenues and costs to complete contracts, including penalties, claims, change orders, incentive awards, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the period in which the revisions to estimates are identified and the loss can be reasonably estimated. The effect of the changes on future periods are recognized as if the revised estimates had been used since revenue was initially recognized under the contract. Such revisions could occur in any reporting period and the effects may be material depending on the size of the contracts or the changes in estimates.
	Revenue Recognition — Components Business. Our components business sells solar modules directly to third-party solar power system integrators and operators. We recognize revenue for module sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the module has occurred and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Under this policy, we record a trade receivable for the selling price of our module and reduce inventory for the cost of goods sold when delivery occurs in accordance with the terms of the sales contracts. Our customers typically do not have extended payment terms or rights of return for our products.
	Revenue Recognition — Operations and Maintenance. Our operations and maintenance (“O&M”) revenue is billed and recognized as services are performed. Costs of these revenues are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
	Ventures and Variable Interest Entities. In the normal course of business we establish wholly owned project companies which may be considered variable interest entities (“VIEs”). We consolidate wholly owned variable interest entities when we are considered the primary beneficiary of such entities. Additionally, we have and may in the future form joint venture type arrangements (“ventures”), including partnerships and partially owned limited liability companies or similar legal structures, with one or more third parties primarily to develop and build solar power projects. These types of ventures are core to our business and long-term strategy related to providing solar photovoltaic (“PV”) generation solutions using our modules to sustainable geographic markets. We analyze all of our ventures and classify them into two groups: (i) ventures that must be consolidated because they are either not VIEs and we hold the majority voting interest, or because they are VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary and (ii) ventures that do not need to be consolidated and are accounted for under either the cost or equity methods of accounting because they are either not VIEs and we hold a minority voting interest, or because they are VIEs and we are not the primary beneficiary.
	Ventures are considered VIEs if (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support; (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the ability to make certain decisions, the obligation to absorb expected losses, or the right to receive expected residual returns; or (iii) an equity investor has voting rights that are disproportionate to its economic interest and substantially all of the entity’s activities are conducted on behalf of the investor. Our venture agreements typically require some form of project development capital or project equity ranging from amounts necessary to obtain a power purchase agreement (“PPA”) (or similar power off-take agreement) to a pro-rata portion of the total equity required to develop and complete construction of a project, depending upon the opportunity and the market our ventures are in.
	We are considered the primary beneficiary of and are required to consolidate a VIE if we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the entity. If we determine that we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity, then we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
	Cost and Equity Method Investments. We account for our unconsolidated ventures using either the cost or equity method of accounting depending upon whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence over a venture. We consider the participating and protective rights we have as well as the legal form of the venture when evaluating whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence. Cost method investments are initially recorded and subsequently carried at their historical cost, and income is recorded to the extent we receive dividends. We use the equity method of accounting for our equity investments when we have the ability to significantly influence the operations or financial decisions of the investee. We initially record the investment at cost and adjust the carrying amount each period to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on our ownership percentage. We monitor these investments, which are included in “Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, for impairment and record reductions in their carrying values if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recorded when an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider our ability and intent to hold the investment until the carrying amount is fully recovered. Circumstances that indicate an other-than-temporary impairment may have occurred include factors such as decreases in quoted market prices or declines in operations of the investee. The evaluation of an investment for potential impairment requires us to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded no impairment losses related to our cost and equity method investments.
	See Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a more complete summary of our significant accounting policies.

3_Recent_Accounting_Pronouncem

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 modifies existing consolidation guidance related to (i) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (ii) the evaluation of variable interests for fees paid to decision makers or service providers, (iii) the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (iv) certain investment funds. These changes are expected to limit the number of consolidation models and place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-02 on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction to the carrying amount of the corresponding debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, rather than as a deferred charge. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. ASU 2015-03 will affect the balance sheet presentation of our debt issuance costs and related debt liabilities.

4_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_Market

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities
	Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	722,413	$	1,480,452
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	57,495		1,602
	Total cash and cash equivalents	779,908		1,482,054
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt	663,174		462,731
	Time deposits	40,000		40,000
	U.S. debt	—		2,800
	U.S. government obligations	1,500		3,501
	Total marketable securities	704,674		509,032
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	$	1,484,582	$	1,991,086
	We classify our marketable securities as available-for-sale. Accordingly, we record them at fair value and account for the net unrealized gains and losses as part of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” until realized. We record realized gains and losses on the sale or maturity of our marketable securities in “Other expense, net” computed using the specific identification method.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we realized no gains or losses on the sale or maturity of our marketable securities. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our marketable securities.
	As of March 31, 2015, no investments were in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of December 31, 2014, we identified two investments totaling $41.1 million with immaterial unrealized losses that had been in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months. The unrealized losses were primarily due to an increase in interest rates relative to rates at the time of purchase. Based on the underlying credit quality of the investments, we do not intend to sell these securities prior to the recovery of our cost basis. Therefore, we did not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired. All of our available-for-sale marketable securities are subject to a periodic impairment review. We did not identify any of our marketable securities as other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign debt	$	663,753	$	200	$	779	$	663,174
	Time deposits	40,000		—		—		40,000
	U.S. government obligations	1,500		—		—		1,500
	Total	$	705,253	$	200	$	779	$	704,674
		As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign debt	$	463,466	$	18	$	753	$	462,731
	Time deposits	40,000		—		—		40,000
	U.S. debt	2,800		—		—		2,800
	U.S. government obligations	3,500		1		—		3,501
	Total	$	509,766	$	19	$	753	$	509,032
	The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	One year or less	$	227,154	$	8	$	170	$	226,992
	One year to two years	254,830		65		250		254,645
	Two years to three years	223,269		127		359		223,037
	Total	$	705,253	$	200	$	779	$	704,674
		As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	One year or less	$	329,974	$	14	$	174	$	329,814
	One year to two years	125,892		5		380		125,517
	Two years to three years	53,900		—		199		53,701
	Total	$	509,766	$	19	$	753	$	509,032
	The net unrealized losses of $0.6 million and $0.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, on our marketable securities were primarily the result of changes in interest rates. Our investment policy requires marketable securities to be highly rated and limits the security types, issuer concentration, and duration to maturity of our marketable securities portfolio.
	The following tables show gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values for those marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, aggregated by major security type and the length of time the marketable securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		In Loss Position for				In Loss Position for				Total
		Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater
		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	Foreign debt	$	421,117	$	779	$	—	$	—	$	421,117	$	779
	Total	$	421,117	$	779	$	—	$	—	$	421,117	$	779
	As of December 31, 2014
	In Loss Position for				In Loss Position for				Total
	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater
	Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
Foreign debt	$	391,840	$	740	$	41,060	$	13	$	432,900	$	753
Total	$	391,840	$	740	$	41,060	$	13	$	432,900	$	753

5_Restricted_Cash_and_Investme

5. Restricted Cash and Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Investments Disclosure	5. Restricted Cash and Investments
	Restricted cash and investments consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Restricted cash		$	51,144	$	49,818
	Restricted investments		370,731		357,235
	Restricted cash and investments (1)		$	421,875	$	407,053
	-1	There was an additional $75.4 million and $74.7 million of restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other current assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	At March 31, 2015, our restricted cash consisted of deposits held by various banks to secure certain of our letters of credit and deposits designated for the construction of systems projects and payment of amounts related to project construction credit facilities. Restricted cash for our letters of credit is classified as current or noncurrent based on the maturity date of the corresponding letter of credit. See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion relating to letters of credit. Restricted cash for project construction and financing is classified as current or noncurrent based on the projected use of the restricted funds.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our restricted investments consisted of long-term marketable securities that we hold through custodial accounts to fund the estimated future costs of collecting and recycling modules covered under our solar module collection and recycling program. We classify our restricted investments as available-for-sale. Accordingly, we record them at fair value and account for the net unrealized gains and losses as a part of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” until realized. We record realized gains and losses on the sale or maturity of our restricted investments in “Other expense, net” computed using the specific identification method. Restricted investments are classified as noncurrent as the underlying accrued solar module collection and recycling liability is also noncurrent in nature.
	As necessary, we fund any incremental amounts for our estimated collection and recycling obligations within 90 days of the end of each year. We determine the funding requirement, if any, based on estimated costs of collecting and recycling covered modules, estimated rates of return on our restricted investments, and an estimated solar module life of 25 years less amounts already funded in prior years. To ensure that these funds will be available in the future regardless of any potential adverse changes in our financial condition (even in the case of our own insolvency), we have established a trust (the “Trust”) under which estimated funds are put into custodial accounts with an established and reputable bank, for which First Solar, Inc. (“FSI”), First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (“FS Malaysia”), and First Solar Manufacturing GmbH are grantors. Only the trustee can distribute funds from the custodial accounts, and these funds cannot be accessed for any purpose other than to cover qualified costs of module collection and recycling, either by us or a third party performing the required collection and recycling services. Investments in these custodial accounts must meet certain investment quality criteria comparable to highly rated government or agency bonds. We closely monitor our exposure to European markets and maintain holdings primarily consisting of German and French sovereign debt securities that are not currently at risk of default. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, no incremental funding was required for covered module sales through December 31, 2014.
	The following tables summarize unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted investments by major security type as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			As of March 31, 2015
			Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign government obligations		$	170,352	$	124,001	$	—	$	294,353
	U.S. government obligations		59,156		17,222		—		76,378
	Total		$	229,508	$	141,223	$	—	$	370,731
			As of December 31, 2014
			Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign government obligations		$	189,455	$	93,280	$	—	$	282,735
	U.S. government obligations		58,510		15,990		—		74,500
	Total		$	247,965	$	109,270	$	—	$	357,235
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the contractual maturities of these restricted investments were between 13 years and 22 years.

6_Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_D

6. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures	6. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details
	Accounts receivable trade, net
	Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Accounts receivable trade, gross		$	254,247		$	142,542
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(30		)	(7,108		)
	Accounts receivable trade, net		$	254,217		$	135,434
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $50.8 million and $21.4 million, respectively, of our accounts receivable trade, net were secured by letters of credit, bank guarantees, or other forms of financial security issued by creditworthy financial institutions.
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Accounts receivable, unbilled		$	57,839		$	41,868
	Retainage		23,748			35,103
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage		$	81,587		$	76,971
	Accounts receivable, unbilled represents revenue that has been recognized in advance of billing the customer, which is common for long-term construction contracts. For example, we recognize revenue from contracts for the construction and sale of solar power systems, which include the sale of project assets over the construction period using applicable accounting methods. One such method is the percentage-of-completion method, which recognizes revenue and gross profit as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred compared to the total estimated costs for completing the contract. Under this accounting method, revenue could be recognized under applicable revenue recognition criteria in advance of billing the customer, resulting in an amount recorded to “Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage.” Once we meet the billing criteria under a construction contract, we bill our customer accordingly and reclassify the “Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage” to “Accounts receivable trade, net.” Billing requirements vary by contract but are generally structured around completion of certain construction milestones.
	The current portion of retainage was included within accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage. Retainage refers to the portion of the contract price earned by us for work performed, but held for payment by our customer as a form of security until we reach certain construction milestones. Retainage included within accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage is expected to be billed and collected within the next 12 months.
	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Raw materials		$	163,379		$	157,468
	Work in process		23,731			20,829
	Finished goods		425,067			442,408
	Inventories		$	612,177		$	620,705
	Inventories — current		$	496,599		$	505,088
	Inventories — noncurrent (1)		$	115,578		$	115,617
	-1	We purchase a critical raw material that is used in our core production process in quantities that exceed anticipated consumption within our operating cycle (which is 12 months). We classify the raw materials that we do not expect to be consumed within our operating cycle as noncurrent.
	Balance of systems parts
	Balance of systems parts were $120.0 million and $125.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented mounting, third-party modules, and electrical and other construction parts purchased for solar power plants to be constructed or currently under construction, which we held title to and were not yet installed in a solar power plant. These parts included items such as posts, tilt brackets, tables, harnesses, combiner boxes, inverters, cables, tracker equipment, and other parts we may purchase or assemble for the solar power plants we construct. Balance of systems parts does not include any solar modules that we manufacture. We carry these parts at the lower of cost or market, with market being based primarily on recoverability through installation in a solar power plant.
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Prepaid expenses		$	109,075		$	42,193
	Derivative instruments		3,601			9,791
	Restricted cash		75,394			74,695
	Other current assets		75,214			75,991
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$	263,284		$	202,670
	Property, plant and equipment, net
	Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Land		$	12,059		$	12,378
	Buildings and improvements		385,762			381,925
	Machinery and equipment		1,744,958			1,646,841
	Office equipment and furniture		137,623			134,268
	Leasehold improvements		50,052			50,096
	Construction in progress		70,553			154,497
	Stored assets (1)		155,464			155,389
	Property, plant and equipment, gross		2,556,471			2,535,394
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,188,028		)	(1,133,090		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	1,368,443		$	1,402,304
	-1	Consists of machinery and equipment (“stored assets”) that were originally purchased for installation in our previously planned manufacturing capacity expansions. We intend to install and place the stored assets into service when such assets are required or beneficial to our existing installed manufacturing capacity or when market demand supports additional or market specific manufacturing capacity. As the remaining stored assets are neither in the condition or location to produce modules as intended, we will not begin depreciation until such assets are placed into service. The stored assets are evaluated for impairment under a held and used impairment model whenever events or changes in business circumstances arise, including consideration of technological obsolescence, that may indicate that the carrying amount of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable. We ceased the capitalization of interest on such stored assets once they were physically received from the related machinery and equipment vendors.
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment was $61.6 million and $60.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	PV solar power systems, net
	PV solar power systems, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	PV solar power systems, gross		$	47,690		$	47,727
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,967		)	(1,334		)
	PV solar power systems, net		$	45,723		$	46,393
	Depreciation of PV solar power systems was $0.6 million and zero for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Capitalized interest
The cost of constructing facilities, equipment, and project assets includes interest costs incurred during the assets’ construction period. The components of interest expense and capitalized interest are as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
Interest cost incurred		$	(3,477	)	$	(2,651	)
Interest cost capitalized — property, plant and equipment		567			578
Interest cost capitalized — project assets		2,716			1,663
Interest expense, net		$	(194	)	$	(410	)
Project assets and deferred project costs
Project assets primarily consist of costs relating to solar power projects in various stages of development that are capitalized prior to entering into a definitive sales agreement for the solar power project, including projects that have begun commercial operation under PPAs and are actively marketed and intended to be sold. These project-related costs include costs for land, development, and construction of a PV solar power system. Development costs may include legal, consulting, permitting, interconnection, and other similar costs. Once we enter into a definitive sales agreement, we reclassify project assets to deferred project costs on our condensed consolidated balance sheet until the sale is completed and we have met all of the criteria to recognize the sale as revenue, which is typically subject to real estate revenue recognition requirements. We expense project assets to cost of sales after each respective project asset is sold to a customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met (matching the expensing of costs to the underlying revenue recognition method). We classify project assets as noncurrent due to the nature of solar power projects (long-lived assets) and the time required to complete all activities to develop, construct, and sell projects, which is typically longer than 12 months.
Deferred project costs represent (i) costs that we capitalize as project assets for arrangements that we account for as real estate transactions after we have entered into a definitive sales arrangement, but before the sale is completed or before we have met all criteria to recognize the sale as revenue, (ii) recoverable pre-contract costs that we capitalize for arrangements accounted for as long-term construction contracts prior to entering into a definitive sales agreement, or (iii) costs that we capitalize for arrangements accounted for as long-term construction contracts after we have signed a definitive sales agreement, but before all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We classify deferred project costs as current if completion of the sale and the meeting of all revenue recognition criteria is expected within the next 12 months.
If a project is completed and begins commercial operation prior to entering into or the closing of a sales arrangement, the completed project will remain in project assets or deferred project costs until the earliest of the closing of the sale of such project, our decision to hold such project, or one year from the project’s commercial operations date. Any income generated by such project while it remains within project assets or deferred project costs is accounted for as a reduction to our basis in the project, which at the time of sale and meeting all revenue recognition criteria will be recorded within cost of sales.
Project assets and deferred project costs consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Project assets — land		$	21,015		$	20,170
Project assets — development costs including project acquisition costs		492,618			359,203
Project assets — construction costs		308,544			408,402
Project assets		822,177			787,775
Deferred project costs — current		311,118			29,354
Deferred project costs — noncurrent		10,977			22,573
Deferred project costs		322,095			51,927
Total project assets and deferred project costs		$	1,144,272		$	839,702
Other assets
Other assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Notes receivable (1)		$	11,080		$	12,096
Income taxes receivable		4,264			4,850
Deferred rent		20,680			20,779
Other		23,841			23,830
Other assets		$	59,865		$	61,555
-1	On April 8, 2009, we entered into a credit facility agreement with a solar power project entity of one of our customers for an available amount of €17.5 million to provide financing for a PV solar power system. The credit facility replaced a bridge loan that we had made to this entity. The credit facility bears interest at 8.0% per annum payable quarterly with the full amount due on December 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance on the credit facility was €7.0 million ($7.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively, at the balance sheet dates). On February 7, 2014, we entered into a convertible loan agreement with a strategic entity for an available amount of up to $5.0 million. The loan bears interest at 8.0% per annum. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance outstanding on the convertible loan was $3.5 million.
Goodwill
Goodwill, summarized by relevant reporting unit, consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		December 31,			Acquisitions			March 31, 2015
		2014
CdTe components		$	403,420		$	—		$	403,420
Crystalline silicon components		6,097			—			6,097
Systems		68,833			—			68,833
Accumulated impairment losses		(393,365		)	—			(393,365		)
Total		$	84,985		$	—		$	84,985
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill, but instead are required to test goodwill for impairment at least annually. If necessary, we would record any impairment in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. We perform impairment tests between scheduled annual tests in the fourth quarter if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill is less than its carrying value.
Other intangibles, net
Other intangibles, net consisted of intangible assets acquired as part of our GE and TetraSun acquisitions and our internally-generated intangible assets, substantially all of which were patents on technologies related to our products and production processes. We record an asset for patents, after the patent has been issued, based on the legal, filing, and other costs incurred to secure them. We amortize intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives once the intangible assets meet the criteria to be amortized. At March 31, 2015, $39.1 million of the $121.0 million of intangible assets, gross consisted of in-process research and development from the TetraSun acquisition. These assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives upon successful completion of the project or expensed earlier if impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, $73.7 million of in-process research and development from the GE acquisition was reclassified to development technology and began amortizing over its useful life of 10 years.
The following tables summarize our intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
		Gross Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
Patents		$	5,747		$	(1,409	)	$	4,338
Developed technology		76,153			(1,227		)	74,926
In-process research and development		39,100			—			39,100
Total		$	121,000		$	(2,636	)	$	118,364
		December 31, 2014
		Gross Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
Patents		5,347			$	(1,208	)	$	4,139
Developed technology		2,757			(460		)	2,297
In-process research and development		112,800			—			112,800
Total		$	120,904		$	(1,668	)	$	119,236
Amortization expense for our intangible assets was $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Accrued expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Accrued compensation and benefits		$	26,966		$	43,072
Accrued property, plant and equipment		23,068			30,723
Accrued inventory		70,476			36,233
Accrued project assets and deferred project costs		161,260			113,012
Product warranty liability (1)		70,031			69,656
Accrued expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses (1)		8,785			7,800
Other		76,327			87,660
Accrued expenses		$	436,913		$	388,156
-1	See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of “Product warranty liability” and “Accrued expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses.”
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings was $171.3 million and $195.3 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented billings made or payments received in excess of revenue recognized on contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method. Typically, billings are made based on the completion of certain construction milestones as provided for in the sales arrangement, and the timing of revenue recognition may be different from when we can bill or collect from a customer.
Payments and billings for deferred project costs
Payments and billings for deferred project costs totaling $71.6 million and $60.6 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented customer payments received or customer billings made under the terms of solar power project related sales contracts for which all revenue recognition criteria for real estate transactions have not yet been met. The associated solar power project related costs are included as deferred project costs. We classify such amounts as current or noncurrent depending on when all revenue recognition criteria are expected to be met, consistent with the classification of the associated deferred project costs.
Other current liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Deferred revenue		$	25,194		$	21,879
Derivative instruments		7,590			7,657
Contingent consideration (1)		12,698			36,817
Other		11,781			22,349
Other current liabilities		$	57,263		$	88,702
-1	See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Other liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Product warranty liability (1)		$	150,374		$	153,401
Other taxes payable		34,477			46,555
Contingent consideration (1)		17,151			17,077
Liability in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses (1)		16,370			23,139
Other (1)		47,749			44,374
Other liabilities		$	266,121		$	284,546
(1) See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion on “Product warranty liability,” “Contingent consideration,” “Liability in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses,” and “Energy test guarantees.”

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum

7. Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	7. Derivative Financial Instruments
	As a global company, we are exposed in the normal course of business to interest rate and foreign currency risks that could affect our consolidated net assets, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We use derivative instruments to hedge against such risks, and we only hold derivative instruments for hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes.
	Depending on the terms of the specific derivative instruments and market conditions, some of our derivative instruments may be assets and others liabilities at any particular consolidated balance sheet date. We report all of our derivative instruments at fair value and account for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments within “Accumulated other comprehensive income” if the derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting (“economic hedges”), we record the changes in fair value directly to earnings. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the techniques we use to measure the fair value of our derivative instruments.
	The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
		Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets				Other Current Liabilities				Other Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	810			$	—			$	—
	Cross-currency swap contract	—				4,364				10,921
	Interest rate swap contract	—				118				—
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	810			$	4,482			$	10,921
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	2,791			$	3,108			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	2,791			$	3,108			$	—
	Total derivative instruments	$	3,601			$	7,590			$	10,921
		December 31, 2014
		Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets				Other Current Liabilities				Other Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	1,213			$	—			$	—
	Cross-currency swap contract	—				2,996				8,995
	Interest rate swap contract	—				164				46
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	1,213			$	3,160			$	9,041
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	8,578			$	4,497			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	8,578			$	4,497			$	—
	Total derivative instruments	$	9,791			$	7,657			$	9,041
	The impact of offsetting balances associated with derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments is shown below (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet
		Gross Asset (Liability)				Gross Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amount Recognized in Financial Statements			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	810			—			810			—		—		$	810
	Cross-currency swap contract	$	(15,285	)		—			(15,285	)		—		—		$	(15,285	)
	Interest rate swap contract	$	(118	)		—			(118	)		—		—		$	(118	)
		December 31, 2014
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet
		Gross Asset (Liability)				Gross Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amount Recognized in Financial Statements			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	1,213			—			1,213			—		—		$	1,213
	Cross-currency swap contract	$	(11,991	)		—			(11,991	)		—		—		$	(11,991	)
	Interest rate swap contract	$	(210	)		—			(210	)		—		—		$	(210	)
	The following tables present the effective amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts				Interest Rate Swap Contract				Cross Currency Swap Contract			Total
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2014	$	6,621			$	(210	)		$	(3,399	)	$	3,012
	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,370		)		29				(3,345		)	(8,686		)
	Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting:
	Net sales	(352		)		—				—			(352		)
	Cost of sales	3,213				—				—			3,213
	Foreign currency loss, net	—				—				3,346			3,346
	Interest expense, net	—				63				49			112
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015	$	4,112			$	(118	)		$	(3,349	)	$	645
		Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts				Interest Rate Swap Contract				Cross Currency Swap Contract			Total
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2013	$	4,351			$	(703	)		$	(5,820	)	$	(2,172	)
	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,878		)		(8		)		1,552			(3,334		)
	Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting:
	Foreign currency loss, net	—				—				(732		)	(732		)
	Interest expense, net	—				164				95			259
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2014	$	(527	)		$	(547	)		$	(4,905	)	$	(5,979	)
	We recorded no amounts related to ineffective portions of our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. In addition, we recognized unrealized gains of $0.3 million related to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for our foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges within “Other expense, net” during each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The following table presents the amounts related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
				Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
				Three Months Ended March 31,
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		2015				2014
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Foreign currency loss, net		$	(8,317	)		$	(669	)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Cost of sales		$	14,516			$	503
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Net sales		$	—			$	—
Interest Rate Risk
We use cross-currency swap and interest rate swap contracts to mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations associated with certain of our debt instruments. We do not use such swap contracts for speculative or trading purposes.
On September 30, 2011, we entered into a cross-currency swap contract to hedge the floating rate foreign currency denominated loan under our Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement. This swap had an initial notional value of Malaysian Ringgit (“MYR”) MYR 465.0 million and entitled us to receive a three-month floating Kuala Lumpur Interbank Offered Rate (“KLIBOR”) interest rate while requiring us to pay a U.S. dollar fixed rate of 3.495%. Additionally, this swap hedges the foreign currency risk of the Malaysian Ringgit denominated principal and interest payments as we make swap payments in U.S. dollars and receive swap payments in Malaysian Ringgits at a fixed exchange rate of 3.19 MYR to USD. The notional amount of the swap is scheduled to decline in line with our scheduled principal payments on the underlying hedged debt. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional value of this cross-currency swap contract was MYR 271.3 million ($73.1 million) and MYR 310.1 million ($88.6 million), respectively. This swap is a derivative instrument that qualifies for accounting as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815, and we designated it as such. We determined that this swap was highly effective as a cash flow hedge at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts of ineffectiveness from this cash flow hedge.
On May 29, 2009, we entered into an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of the floating rate loans under our Malaysian Credit Facility, which became effective on September 30, 2009 with an initial notional value of €57.3 million and pursuant to which we are entitled to receive a six-month floating Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) interest rate while being required to pay a fixed rate of 2.80%. The notional amount of the interest rate swap contract is scheduled to decline in line with our scheduled principal payments on the underlying hedged debt. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional value of this interest rate swap contract was €5.7 million ($6.2 million) and €10.3 million ($12.5 million), respectively. This derivative instrument qualifies for accounting as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815, and we designated it as such. We determined that our interest rate swap contract was highly effective as a cash flow hedge at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts of ineffectiveness from this cash flow hedge.
In the following 12 months, we expect to reclassify to earnings $4.5 million of net unrealized losses related to swap contracts that are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” at March 31, 2015 as we realize the earnings effect of the underlying loans. The amount we ultimately record to earnings will depend on the actual interest rates and foreign exchange rates when we realize the earnings effect of the underlying loans.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Cash Flow Exposure
We expect many of the subsidiaries of our business to have material future cash flows that will be denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Our primary cash flow exposures are net sales and expenses. Changes in the exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the other currencies in which they transact will cause fluctuations in the cash flows we expect to receive or pay when these cash flows are realized or settled. Accordingly, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of these forecasted cash flows. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, these foreign exchange forward contracts hedged our forecasted cash flows for up to 3 months and 6 months, respectively. These foreign exchange forward contracts qualify for accounting as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815, and we designated them as such. We initially report the effective portion of a derivative’s unrealized gain or loss in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and subsequently reclassify amounts into earnings when the hedged transaction occurs and impacts earnings. We determined that these derivative financial instruments were highly effective as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2015 and at December 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not discontinue any cash flow hedges because a hedging relationship was no longer highly effective.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we purchased foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the exchange risk on forecasted cash flows denominated in Australian dollars and Japanese yen. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values associated with our foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions):
	March 31, 2015
Currency	Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
Australian dollar	AUD 11.3		$8.60
Japanese yen	JPY 961.9		$8.00
	December 31, 2014
Currency	Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
Australian dollar	AUD 38.4		$31.50
Japanese yen	JPY 1,223.2		$10.30
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the unrealized gains on these contracts were $4.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively.
In the following 12 months, we expect to reclassify to earnings $4.1 million of net unrealized gains related to these forward contracts that are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” at March 31, 2015 as we realize the earnings effect of the related forecasted transactions. The amount we ultimately record to earnings will depend on the actual exchange rates when we realize the related forecasted transactions.
Transaction Exposure and Economic Hedging
Many subsidiaries of our business have assets and liabilities (primarily receivables, marketable securities, accounts payable, debt, and solar module collection and recycling liabilities) that are denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Changes in the exchange rates between our subsidiaries’ functional currencies and the other currencies in which these assets and liabilities are denominated can create fluctuations in our reported condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. We may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts or other financial instruments to economically hedge assets and liabilities against the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations. The gains and losses on the foreign exchange forward contracts will economically offset all or part of the transaction gains and losses that we recognize in earnings on the related foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
We purchase foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge balance sheet and other exposures related to transactions with third parties. Such contracts are considered economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting. We recognize gains or losses from the fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and the fair value of these derivative contracts in “Net sales,” “Cost of sales,” and “Foreign currency loss, net” on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, depending on where the gain or loss from the economically hedged item is classified on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2015, the total net unrealized loss on our economic hedge foreign exchange forward contracts was $0.3 million. As of December 31, 2014, the total net unrealized gain on our economic hedge foreign exchange forward contracts was $4.1 million. As these amounts do not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments are recorded directly to earnings. These contracts have maturities of less than three months.
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values of our foreign exchange forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions):
	March 31, 2015
Transaction	Currency		Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
Purchase	Euro		€ 75.20		$81.40
Sell	Euro		€ 141.20		$152.90
Purchase	Australian dollar		AUD 50.8		$38.90
Sell	Australian dollar		AUD 93.9		$71.90
Purchase	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 92.5		$24.90
Sell	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 58.5		$15.80
Sell	Canadian dollar		CAD 7.1		$5.60
Purchase	Japanese yen		JPY 223.9		$1.90
Sell	Japanese yen		JPY 2,234.6		$18.60
Purchase	British pound		GBP 3.0		$4.40
Sell	British pound		GBP 36.4		$53.80
Purchase	Chinese yuan		CNY 109.7		$17.70
Sell	Chinese yuan		CNY 5.5		$0.90
	December 31, 2014
Transaction	Currency		Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
Purchase	Euro		€ 91.10		$110.90
Sell	Euro		€ 92.40		$112.50
Purchase	Australian dollar		AUD 26.0		$21.30
Sell	Australian dollar		AUD 118.0		$96.70
Purchase	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 146.0		$41.70
Sell	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 93.6		$26.70
Purchase	Canadian dollar		CAD 0.7		$0.60
Sell	Canadian dollar		CAD 8.3		$7.10
Purchase	Japanese yen		JPY 244.6		$2.10
Sell	Japanese yen		JPY 2,322.1		$19.50
Purchase	British pound		GBP 1.4		$2.20
Sell	British pound		GBP 37.7		$58.60

8_Fair_Value_Measurements

8. Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure	8. Fair Value Measurements
	The following is a description of the valuation techniques that we use to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities that we measure and report at fair value on a recurring basis:
	•	Cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We value our money market cash equivalents using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for securities with identical characteristics, and accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 1.
	•	Marketable securities and restricted investments. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our marketable securities consisted primarily of foreign debt and time deposits, and our restricted investments consisted of foreign and U.S. government obligations. We value our marketable securities and restricted investments using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for securities with identical characteristics or quoted prices for securities with similar characteristics and other observable inputs (such as interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals). Accordingly, we classify the valuation techniques that use these inputs as either Level 1 or Level 2 depending on the inputs used. We also consider the effect of our counterparties’ credit standings in these fair value measurements.
	•	Derivative assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our derivative assets and liabilities consisted of foreign exchange forward contracts involving major currencies, an interest rate swap contract involving a benchmark of interest rates, and a cross-currency swap contract including both. Since our derivative assets and liabilities are not traded on an exchange, we value them using industry standard valuation models. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs including interest rate curves, credit risk, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies. These inputs are observable in active markets over the contract term of the derivative instruments we hold, and accordingly, we classify these valuation techniques as Level 2. We consider the effect of our own credit standing and that of our counterparties in our fair value measurements of our derivative assets and liabilities, respectively.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities that we measure on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
			March 31, 2015
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
					Date Using
			Total Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant
			Value and		in Active		Other		Significant
			Carrying		Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
			Value on Our		Identical		Inputs		Inputs
			Balance Sheet		Assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		$	57,495	$	57,495	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt		663,174		—		663,174		—
	Time deposits		40,000		40,000		—		—
	U.S. government obligations		1,500		—		1,500		—
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)		370,731		—		370,731		—
	Derivative assets		3,601		—		3,601		—
	Total assets		$	1,136,501	$	97,495	$	1,039,006	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities		$	18,511	$	—	$	18,511	$	—
			December 31, 2014
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
					Date Using
			Total Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant
			Value and		in Active		Other		Significant
			Carrying		Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
			Value on Our		Identical		Inputs		Inputs
			Balance Sheet		Assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		$	1,602	$	1,602	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt		462,731		—		462,731		—
	Time deposits		40,000		40,000		—		—
	U.S. debt		2,800		—		2,800		—
	U.S. government obligations		3,501		—		3,501		—
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)		357,235		—		357,235		—
	Derivative assets		9,791		—		9,791		—
	Total assets		$	877,660	$	41,602	$	836,058	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities		$	16,698	$	—	$	16,698	$	—
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying values and fair values of our financial and derivative instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Value		Value		Value		Value
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	704,674	$	704,674	$	509,032	$	509,032
	Foreign exchange forward contract assets		$	3,601	$	3,601	$	9,791	$	9,791
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)		$	370,731	$	370,731	$	357,235	$	357,235
	Notes receivable - noncurrent		$	11,080	$	11,075	$	12,096	$	12,189
	Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent		$	9,127	$	10,214	$	9,127	$	9,812
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current maturities		$	242,509	$	252,790	$	216,921	$	224,489
	Interest rate swap contract liabilities		$	118	$	118	$	210	$	210
	Cross-currency swap contract liabilities		$	15,285	$	15,285	$	11,991	$	11,991
Foreign exchange forward contract liabilities		$	3,108	$	3,108	$	4,497	$	4,497
The carrying values on our condensed consolidated balance sheets of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and retainage, current affiliate notes receivable, other assets, restricted cash, accounts payable, income taxes payable, and accrued expenses approximated their fair values due to their nature and relatively short maturities; therefore, we exclude them from the foregoing table.
We estimated the fair value of our long-term debt and notes receivable using a discounted cash flows approach (an income approach) using market based observable inputs. We incorporated the credit risk of our counterparty for all asset fair value measurements and our credit risk for all liability fair value measurements. Such fair value measurements are considered Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
Credit Risk
We have certain financial and derivative instruments that subject us to credit risk. These consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted investments, interest rate swap and cross-currency swap contracts, and foreign exchange forward contracts. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our financial and derivative instruments. We place cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted investments, interest rate swap and cross-currency swap contracts, and foreign exchange forward contracts with various high-quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit risk from any one counterparty. We continuously evaluate the credit standing of our counterparty financial institutions.

9_Investments_in_Unconsolidate

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Joint Ventures (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Cost and Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Joint Ventures
	We have joint ventures or other business arrangements with strategic partners in several markets, which are generally used to expedite our penetration of those markets and establish relationships with potential customers and policymakers. We also enter into ventures or strategic arrangements with customers or other entities to maximize the value of particular projects. Some of these business arrangements involve and are expected in the future to involve significant investments or other allocations of capital. Investments in unconsolidated entities over which we have significant influence, but not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Investments in entities in which we do not have the ability to exert significant influence over the entities’ operating and financing activities are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Equity method investments	$	250,649	$	249,614
	Cost method investments	6,672		5,415
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures	$	257,321	$	255,029
	SG2 Holdings, LLC
	In November 2014, we completed the sale of 51% of our 150 MW Solar Gen 2 project to Southern Power Company. The Solar Gen 2 project spans three sites, each of which is an approximately 50 MW grid-connected PV solar power system, comprising a combined 1,451 acres of land in Imperial County, California. Electricity generated by the systems is contracted to serve a 25-year PPA with a local utility company. Our remaining 49% membership interest in the project holding company, SG2 Holdings, LLC, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we are able to exercise significant influence over the project due to our representation on its management committee. Under the terms of the project LLC agreement, each member is entitled to receive cash distributions based on their respective membership interests, and Southern Power Company is entitled to substantially all of the project’s federal tax benefits. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized equity in earnings of $0.5 million, net of tax from our investment in SG2 Holdings, LLC. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment was $222.0 million and $219.9 million, respectively.
	Clean Energy Collective, LLC
	In November 2014, we entered into various agreements to purchase a 28% ownership interest in Clean Energy Collective, LLC (CEC). This investment represented our latest entry into the distributed generation market and provided us with a partner to develop and market community solar offerings to North American residential customers and businesses directly on behalf of client utility companies. As part of the investment, we also received a warrant, valued at $1.8 million, to purchase additional ownership interests at prices at or above our initial investment price per unit.
	In addition to our equity investment in CEC, we also entered into a loan agreement to provide CEC with term loan advances up to $15.0 million. All loans are due in November 2017 on the third anniversary of the initial loan agreement. Interest is payable semiannually and may be capitalized to the outstanding principal balance of the loans at CEC’s election. The loans bear interest at rates ranging from 7% to 16% depending on CEC’s current capital structure. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance outstanding on the loans was $9.1 million.
	CEC is considered a variable interest entity, and our ownership interest in and loans to the company are considered variable interests. We account for our investment in CEC under the equity method of accounting as we concluded we are not the primary beneficiary of the company given that we do not have the power to make decisions over the activities that most significantly impact the company’s economic performance. Under the equity method of accounting, we recognize equity in earnings for our proportionate share of CEC’s net income or loss including adjustments for the amortization of a portion of the remaining $19.2 million basis difference resulting from the cost of our investment differing from our proportionate share of CEC’s equity. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized a loss of $0.8 million, net of tax from our investment in CEC. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment was $18.1 million and $19.5 million, respectively.
	Joint Venture with Customer
	In September 2013, we contributed an immaterial amount for a 50% ownership interest in a newly formed joint venture, which was established to develop solar power projects in Europe, North Africa, the United States, and the Middle East. One of our customers also contributed an immaterial amount for the remaining 50% ownership interest in the joint venture. The project development and related activities of the entity are governed by a joint venture agreement. The intent of this agreement is to outline the general parameters of the arrangement with our customer, whereby we will supply solar modules for various solar power projects and our customer will develop and construct the projects. The joint venture agreement also requires each party to consent to all decisions made for the most significant activities of the entity. There are no requirements for us to make further contributions to the joint venture, and the proceeds from the sale of any future projects are to be divided equally between us and our customer after the repayment of any project financing and project development related costs.
	In 2014, we subsequently entered into various loan agreements with solar power project entities of the joint venture pursuant to which the project entities may borrow funds for the construction of PV solar power systems in the United Kingdom. The loans bear interest at 8% per annum and are payable at the earlier of the sale of the associated project entities or maturity on September 30, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance outstanding on the loans was £29.9 million ($44.2 million) and £8.0 million ($12.5 million), respectively.
	The joint venture is considered a variable interest entity, and our ownership interest in and loans to the project entities of the joint venture are considered variable interests. We accounted for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting as we concluded we are not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture given that we currently share the power to make the decisions that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The variable interest model may require a reconsideration as to whether we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity due to changes in facts and circumstances. A failure of a project entity to repay its loan agreements by September 30, 2015 would be an event of default that triggers our ability to take over key decisions that would significantly impact the defaulting project entity’s economic performance. Our specific rights in the event of default would include (i) a unilateral right to terminate the EPC contractor, (ii) a unilateral right to negotiate the sale of the project, and (iii) an ability to enforce our rights over all of the project entity’s shares, which have been pledged as a form of security. Such a development would be a reconsideration event that could result in us concluding that we are the primary beneficiary of the defaulting project entity.

10_PercentageofCompletion_Chan

10. Percentage-of-Completion Changes in Estimates (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes in Estimates for Systems Business [Abstract]
Changes in project estimates	10. Percentage-of-Completion Changes in Estimates
	We recognize revenue for certain systems business sales arrangements under the percentage-of-completion method. The percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition requires us to prepare estimates of contracted revenues and costs to complete our projects. In making such estimates, management judgments are required to evaluate significant assumptions including the amount of net contract revenues, the cost of materials and labor, expected labor productivity, the impact of potential variances in schedule completion, and the impact of any penalties, claims, change orders, or performance incentives. If estimated total costs on any contract are greater than the contract revenues, we recognize the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of the revisions to estimates related to contract revenues and costs to complete contracts are recorded in the period in which the revisions to estimates are identified and the loss can be reasonably estimated.
	Changes in estimates for systems business sales arrangements accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method occur for a variety of reasons including but not limited to (i) changes in estimates to reflect actual costs, (ii) construction plan accelerations or delays, (iii) module cost forecast changes, and (iv) other cost related change orders. Changes in estimates could have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The table below outlines the impact on gross profit of the aggregate net changes in systems business contract estimates (both increases and decreases) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as well as the number of projects that comprise such aggregate net changes in estimates. For purposes of the below table, we only include projects that have a net impact on gross profit from changes in estimates of at least $1.0 million during a period. Also included in the table below is the net change in estimates as a percentage of the aggregate gross profit for such projects for each period.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Number of projects	6			8
	Increases (decreases) in gross profit resulting from net changes in estimates (in thousands)	$	22,966		$	(9,690	)
	Net change in estimates as percentage of aggregate gross profit for associated projects	1.9		%	(0.4		)%

11_Debt

11. Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt	11. Debt
	Our long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
						Balance (USD)
	Loan Agreement		Maturity		Loan Denomination	March 31,			December 31,
						2015			2014
	Revolving Credit Facility		July 2018 (Tranche A) October 2015 (Tranche B)		USD	$	—		$	—
	Project Construction Credit Facilities		Various		Various	133,115			75,418
	Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement		Sep-18		MYR	73,117			88,606
	Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement		Apr-18		EUR	30,348			34,112
	Malaysian Facility Agreement		Mar-16		EUR	12,614			25,818
	Capital lease obligations		Various		Various	1,436			1,558
	Long-term debt principal					250,630			225,512
	Less unamortized discount					(8,121		)	(8,591		)
	Total long-term debt					242,509			216,921
	Less current portion					(42,123		)	(51,918		)
	Noncurrent portion					$	200,386		$	165,003
	Revolving Credit Facility
	Our amended and restated credit agreement with several financial institutions as lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent provides us with a senior secured credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with an aggregate available amount of $600.0 million, with the right to request an increase up to $750.0 million, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at (i) LIBOR (adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements) plus a margin of 2.25% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.25%, depending on the type of borrowing requested by us. These margins are subject to adjustments depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. We had no borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We had $209.9 million and $202.5 million of letters of credit using availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $390.1 million and $397.5 million of availability at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	The credit agreement contains financial covenants including: a leverage ratio covenant, a minimum EBITDA covenant, and a minimum liquidity covenant. Additionally, the credit agreement contains customary non-financial covenants and certain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. We were in compliance with all covenants of the facility as of March 31, 2015.
	In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Revolving Credit Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee, currently at the rate of 0.375% per annum, based on the average daily unused commitments under the facility. The commitment fee may also be adjusted due to changes in our consolidated leverage ratio. We also pay a letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin for Eurocurrency revolving loans on the face amount of each letter of credit and a fronting fee of 0.125%.
	On July 15, 2013, we entered into the fourth amendment to the credit agreement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment provided for, among other things, the division of the Revolving Credit Facility into Tranche A commitments in an aggregate amount equal to $450.0 million and Tranche B commitments in an aggregate amount equal to $150.0 million and the extension of the maturity date of the Tranche A loans and commitment until July 15, 2018. The maturity date of the Tranche B loans and commitment is October 15, 2015 and is unchanged. The Amendment also contained certain covenant changes.
	In connection with the Amendment, we entered into an Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. Loans and letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility are jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.; First Solar Electric, LLC; First Solar Electric (California), Inc.; and First Solar Development, LLC and are secured by liens on substantially all of the guarantors’ tangible and intangible assets other than certain excluded assets.
	Project Construction Credit Facilities
	On August 22, 2014, Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA (“Luz del Norte”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into credit facilities with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) and the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) to provide limited-recourse senior secured debt financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $290.0 million for the design, development, financing, construction, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a 141 MW AC PV power plant located near Copiapó, Chile (the “Luz del Norte Credit Facilities”).
	Up to $230.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of the loans will be funded by OPIC. Of the OPIC commitment, $178.0 million is currently committed, while the remaining $52.0 million is subject to the occurrence of certain events, including the execution by Luz del Norte of a PPA. The currently committed OPIC commitment is comprised of fixed rate loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $133.3 million and variable rate loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $44.7 million. The fixed rate loans will mature on September 15, 2029, and the variable rate loans will mature on September 15, 2032. As of March 31, 2015, the balance outstanding on the OPIC loans was $84.7 million.
	Up to $60.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of the loans will be funded by IFC, of which 100% is currently committed. The IFC commitment is comprised of fixed rate loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $44.9 million and variable rate loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $15.1 million. The fixed rate loans will mature on September 15, 2029, and the variable rate loans will mature on September 15, 2032. As of March 31, 2015, the balance outstanding on the IFC loans was $28.6 million.
	The OPIC and IFC loans are secured by liens over all of Luz del Norte’s assets, which had an aggregate book value of $192.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and by a pledge of all of the equity interests in the entity. The financing agreements contain customary representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default for comparable credit facilities. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the Luz del Norte Credit Facilities as of March 31, 2015.
	On August 22, 2014, Luz del Norte also entered into a Chilean Peso facility (“VAT facility” and together with the Luz del Norte Credit Facilities, the “Project Construction Facilities”) equivalent to $65.0 million with Banco de Crédito e Inversiones to fund Chilean value added tax associated with the construction of the Luz del Norte project described above. In connection with the VAT facility, FSI provided a guaranty of substantially all payment obligations of Luz del Norte thereunder. As of March 31, 2015, the balance outstanding under the VAT facility was $19.9 million.
	Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement
	FS Malaysia, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into a credit facility agreement (“Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement”), among FSI as guarantor, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad, Maybank Investment Bank Berhad, and RHB Investment Bank Berhad as arrangers with CIMB Investment Bank Berhad also acting as facility agent and security agent, and the original lenders party thereto. The loans made to FS Malaysia are secured by, among other things, FS Malaysia’s leases over the leased lots on which our fifth and sixth manufacturing plants in Kulim, Malaysia (“Plants 5 and 6”) are located and all plant, machinery, and equipment purchased by FS Malaysia with the proceeds of the facility or otherwise installed in or utilized in Plants 5 and 6, to the extent not financed, or subject to a negative pledge under a separate financing facility related to Plants 5 and 6. In addition, FS Malaysia’s obligations under the Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement are guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, by FSI. At March 31, 2015, buildings, machinery, equipment, and land leases with an aggregate net book value of $252.6 million were pledged as collateral for this loan.
	The Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement contains negative covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of FS Malaysia to incur indebtedness, create liens, effect asset sales, engage in reorganizations, issue guarantees, and make loans. In addition, the agreement includes financial covenants relating to net total leverage ratio, interest coverage ratio, total debt to equity ratio, debt service coverage ratio, and tangible net worth. It also contains certain representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default provisions. We were in compliance with all covenants associated with the Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement as of March 31, 2015.
	Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement
	FS Malaysia has also entered into a credit facility agreement (“Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement”) with Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and Natixis Zweigniederlassung Deutschland as arrangers and original lenders, and Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Luxembourg Branch as facility agent and security agent. In connection with the Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement, FSI concurrently entered into a first demand guarantee agreement in favor of the lenders. Under this agreement, FS Malaysia’s obligations related to the credit facility are guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, by FSI. At the same time FS Malaysia and FSI also entered into a subordination agreement, pursuant to which any payment claims of FSI against FS Malaysia are subordinated to the claims of the lenders.
	The Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement contains negative covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of FS Malaysia to grant liens over the equipment financed by the facilities, effect asset sales, provide guarantees, change its business, engage in mergers, consolidations, and restructurings, and enter into contracts with FSI and its subsidiaries. In addition, the agreement includes the following financial covenants: maximum total debt to equity ratio, maximum total leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio, and minimum debt service coverage ratio. It also contains certain representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default provisions. We were in compliance with all covenants associated with the Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement as of March 31, 2015.
	Malaysian Facility Agreement
	FS Malaysia has entered into an export financing facility agreement (“Malaysian Facility Agreement”) with a consortium of banks. FS Malaysia’s obligations related to the agreement are guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, by FSI. In connection with the Malaysian Facility Agreement, all of FS Malaysia’s obligations are secured by a first party, first legal charge over the machinery and equipment financed by the credit facilities, and any other documents, contracts, and agreements related to that machinery and equipment. Also in connection with the agreement, any payment claims of FSI against FS Malaysia are subordinated to the claims of the lenders. At March 31, 2015, machinery and equipment with an aggregate net book value of $14.8 million was pledged as collateral for these loans.
	The Malaysian Facility Agreement contains negative covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of FS Malaysia to incur indebtedness, create liens, effect asset sales, engage in reorganizations, issue guarantees, and make loans. In addition, the Malaysian Facility Agreement includes financial covenants relating to net total leverage ratio, interest coverage ratio, total debt to equity ratio, debt service coverage ratio, and tangible net worth. The Malaysian Facility Agreement also contains certain representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default provisions. We were in compliance with all covenants associated with the Malaysian Facility Agreement as of March 31, 2015.
	Variable Interest Rate Risk
	Certain of our long-term debt agreements bear interest at prime, EURIBOR, KLIBOR, LIBOR, or equivalent variable rates. A disruption of the credit environment, as previously experienced, could negatively impact interbank lending and, therefore, negatively impact these floating rates. An increase in EURIBOR would impact our cost of borrowing under our entire Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement, but would not impact our cost of borrowing of the floating-rate term loan under our Malaysian Facility Agreement as we entered into an interest rate swap contract to mitigate such risk. An increase in KLIBOR would not increase our cost of borrowing under our Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement as we entered into a cross-currency swap contract to mitigate such risk. An increase in prime, LIBOR, or equivalent variable rates would increase our cost of borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility and Project Construction Credit Facilities.
	Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:
	Loan Agreement		Borrowing Rate at March 31, 2015
	Revolving Credit Facility		2.43%
	Project Construction Credit Facilities		Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
			Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
			VAT loans at bank rate plus 1.30%
	Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement		KLIBOR plus 2.00% (2)
	Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement		EURIBOR plus 1.00%
	Malaysian Facility Agreement (1)		Fixed rate facility at 4.54%
			Floating rate facility at EURIBOR plus 0.55% (2)
	Capital lease obligations		Various
	-1	Outstanding balance split equally between fixed and floating rates.
	-2	Interest rate hedges have been entered into relating to these variable rates. See Note 7. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Future Principal Payments
	At March 31, 2015, the future principal payments on our long-term debt, excluding payments related to capital leases, were due as follows (in thousands):
			Total Debt
	Remainder of 2015		$	26,668
	2016		34,603
	2017		50,659
	2018		28,169
	2019		3,625
	Thereafter		105,470
	Total long-term debt future principal payments		$	249,194

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci

12. Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. Commitments and Contingencies
	Financial Guarantees
	In the normal course of business, we occasionally enter into agreements with third parties under which we guarantee the performance or obligations of our wholly owned subsidiaries related to certain contracts, which may include development, engineering, procurement of permits and equipment, construction management, and operating and maintenance services related to solar power plants. These agreements are considered guarantees of our own performance and no liabilities are separately recorded outside of any liabilities recorded by our subsidiaries.
	Loan Guarantees
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our only loan guarantees were guarantees of our own long-term debt, as disclosed in Note 11. “Debt” to these condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Commercial Commitments
	During the normal course of business, we enter into commercial commitments in the form of letters of credit, surety bonds, and bank guarantees to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. Our Revolving Credit Facility provides us the capacity to issue up to $600.0 million in letters of credit, subject to certain limits depending on the currencies of the letters of credit, at a fee equal to the applicable margin for Eurocurrency revolving loans and a fronting fee. As of March 31, 2015, we had $209.9 million in letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility with a remaining availability of $390.1 million, all of which can be used for the issuance of letters of credit. The substantial majority of these letters of credit were supporting our systems business projects. As of March 31, 2015, we had $6.1 million in bank guarantees and letters of credit issued outside of our Revolving Credit Facility, some of which were posted by certain of our foreign subsidiaries, $71.1 million of letters of credit issued under a bilateral facility secured with cash, and $170.6 million in surety bonds outstanding primarily for our systems business projects. The available bonding capacity under our surety lines was $622.4 million as of March 31, 2015.
	Product Warranties
	When we recognize revenue for module or systems project sales, we accrue a liability for the estimated future costs of meeting our limited warranty obligations for both modules and the balance of the systems. We make and revise this estimate based primarily on the number of our solar modules under warranty installed at customer locations, our historical experience with warranty claims, our monitoring of field installation sites, our internal testing of and the expected future performance of our solar modules and balance of systems (“BoS”) components, and our estimated replacement cost.
	From time to time, we have taken remediation actions in respect of affected modules beyond our limited warranty, and we may elect to do so in the future, in which case we would incur additional expenses. Such potential voluntary future remediation actions beyond our limited warranty obligation may be material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations if we commit to any such remediation actions.
	Product warranty activities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$	223,057		$	198,041
	Accruals for new warranties issued	6,740			11,269
	Settlements	(2,749		)	(4,079		)
	Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	(6,643		)	3,063
	Product warranty liability, end of period	$	220,405		$	208,294
	Current portion of warranty liability	$	70,031		$	68,266
	Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	$	150,374		$	140,028
	We have historically estimated our product warranty liability for power output and defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions to have an estimated warranty return rate of approximately 3% of modules covered under warranty. A 1% change in estimated warranty return rate would change our estimated module warranty liability by approximately $66.2 million, and a 1% change in estimated warranty return rate for balance of systems would not have a material impact on our warranty liability.
	Accrued Expenses in Excess of Product Warranty
	We may also accrue expenses for the cost of any voluntary remediation programs beyond our normal product warranty. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accrued expenses in excess of our product warranty were $25.2 million and $30.9 million, of which $8.8 million and $7.8 million, respectively, were classified as current and $16.4 million and $23.1 million, respectively, were classified as noncurrent and included in “Accrued expenses” and “Other liabilities,” respectively, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Our estimates for such remediation programs are based on an evaluation of available information including the estimated number of potentially affected solar modules, historical experience related to our remediation efforts, customer provided data related to potentially affected systems, estimated costs for performing removal, replacement, and logistical services, and any post-sale expenses covered under our voluntary remediation program. If any of our estimates prove incorrect, we could be required to accrue additional expenses.
	Performance Guarantees
	As part of our systems business, we conduct performance testing of the solar power plant prior to substantial completion to confirm the power plant meets operational and capacity expectations noted in the EPC agreement. In addition, we may provide an energy generation performance test during the first year of the solar power plant’s operation. Such a test is designed to demonstrate that the actual energy generation for the first year meets or exceeds the modeled energy expectation, after certain adjustments and exclusions. If there is an underperformance event, determined at the end of the first year after substantial completion, we may incur liquidated damages as a percentage of the EPC contract price. In some instances, a bonus payment may be received at the end of the first year if the power plant performs above a certain level.
	Under our O&M service offering, we typically include an effective availability guarantee when we provide long-term total asset management services. In limited cases, a form of energy generation performance test is offered in lieu of the availability guarantee up to a maximum of five years. In such cases, liquidated damages are incurred at the lost energy price noted in the PPA. Additionally, as part of our O&M service guarantees there is potential for bonus payments.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we recorded $1.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of estimated obligations under such arrangements, of which $1.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, was classified as “Other current liabilities” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Repurchase of Systems Projects
	From time to time under sales agreements for a limited number of our solar power projects, we may be required to repurchase the projects if certain events occur, such as not achieving commercial operation of the project within a certain timeframe. For any sales agreements that have such conditional repurchase clauses, we will not recognize revenue on such sales agreements until the conditional repurchase clauses are of no further force or effect and all other necessary revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	Contingent Consideration
	In connection with our TetraSun and Solar Chile acquisitions, we agreed to pay additional amounts to sellers contingent upon achievement by the acquired businesses of certain negotiated goals, such as targeted project and module shipment volume milestones. We have recognized $5.0 million and $4.9 million of current liabilities and $14.8 million and $14.7 million of long-term liabilities for these contingent obligations based on their estimated fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	We continually seek to make additions to our advanced-stage project pipeline. We are actively developing our early to mid-stage project pipeline in order to secure PPAs and we are also pursuing opportunities to acquire advanced-stage projects, which already have PPAs in place. In connection with these project acquisitions, we may agree to pay additional amounts to project sellers upon achievement of certain project-related milestones, such as obtaining a purchase price agreement, obtaining financing, and selling to a new owner. We recognize an estimated project acquisition contingent liability when we determine that such liability is both probable and reasonably estimable, and the carrying amount of the related project asset is correspondingly increased. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have recorded $7.7 million and $31.9 million of current liabilities, respectively, and $2.4 million and $2.4 million of long-term liabilities, respectively, for such contingent obligations. Any future differences between the acquisition-date contingent obligation estimate and the ultimate settlement of the obligations will be recognized primarily as an adjustment to project assets, as contingent payments are considered direct and incremental to the underlying value of the related projects.
	Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability
	We established a voluntary module collection and recycling program to collect and recycle modules sold and covered under such program once these modules have reached the end of their useful lives. Historically, we included a description of our module collection and recycling obligations in customer sales contracts covered under the program. Based on the terms of these contracts, we agreed to cover the costs for the collection and recycling of qualifying solar modules, and the end-users agreed to notify us, disassemble their solar power systems, package the solar modules for shipment, and revert ownership rights over the modules back to us at the end of the modules’ service lives.
	For modules covered under this program, we record our collection and recycling obligation within “Cost of sales” at the time of sale based on the estimated present value of the cost to collect and recycle covered solar modules. We estimate the cost of our collection and recycling obligations based on the present value of the expected probability weighted future cost of collecting and recycling the solar modules, which includes estimates for the cost of packaging the solar modules for transport, the cost of freight from the solar module installation sites to a recycling center, the material, labor, capital costs, and scale of recycling centers, and an estimated third-party profit margin and return on risk for collection and recycling services. We base this estimate on (i) our experience collecting and recycling our solar modules and on our expectations about future developments in recycling technologies and processes, (ii) economic conditions at the time the solar modules will be collected and recycled, and (iii) the expected timing of when our solar modules will be returned for recycling. In the periods between the time of our sales and the settlement of our collection and recycling obligations, we accrete the carrying amount of the associated liability by applying the discount rate used for its initial measurement. We classify accretion as an operating expense within “Selling, general and administrative” expense on our condensed consolidated statement of operations. We periodically review our estimates of the expected future recycling costs and may adjust our liability accordingly.
	Our module collection and recycling liability at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $236.2 million and $246.3 million, respectively. A 1% increase in the annualized inflation rate used in our estimated future collection and recycling cost per module would increase our liability by $58.5 million, and a 1% decrease in that rate would decrease our liability by $47.9 million.
	The percentage of modules sold that were subject to our solar module collection and recycling liability was 7% and 56% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.
	See Note 5. “Restricted Cash and Investments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information about our arrangements for funding this liability.
	Legal Proceedings
	We are party to legal matters and claims that are normal in the course of our operations. While we believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the outcome of these matters is not determinable with certainty, and negative outcomes may adversely affect us.
	Class Action
	On March 15, 2012, a purported class action lawsuit titled Smilovits v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00555-DGC, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (hereafter “Arizona District Court”) against the Company and certain of our current and former directors and officers. The complaint was filed on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s publicly traded securities between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012. The complaint generally alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for damages, including interest, and an award of reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees to the putative class. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and will vigorously defend this action.
	On July 23, 2012, the Arizona District Court issued an order appointing as lead plaintiffs in the class action the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (collectively “Pension Schemes”). The Pension Schemes filed an amended complaint on August 17, 2012, which contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief as the original complaint. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on September 14, 2012. On December 17, 2012, the court denied Defendants’ motion to dismiss. On October 8, 2013, the Arizona District Court granted the Pension Schemes’ motion for class certification, and certified a class comprised of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded securities of the Company between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012 and were damaged thereby, excluding defendants and certain related parties. Merits discovery closed on February 27, 2015. Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment on March 27, 2015, and plaintiffs filed a cross motion for partial summary judgment on the same day. Plaintiffs and Defendants filed briefs opposing the other’s motion for summary judgment on April 27, 2015, and briefing on the motions for summary judgment is set to conclude on May 27, 2015. Oral argument on the motions for summary judgment is currently scheduled for June 25, 2015. Expert discovery is scheduled to commence after the motions for summary judgment have been resolved.
	Given the pending motions for summary judgment, remaining discovery, and the uncertainties of trial, we are not in a position to assess whether any loss or adverse effect on our financial condition is probable or remote or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any.
	Derivative Actions
	On April 3, 2012, a derivative action titled Tsevegmid v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-00417-CJB, was filed by a putative stockholder on behalf of the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (hereafter “Delaware District Court”) against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company, alleging breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment. The complaint generally alleges that from June 1, 2008, to March 7, 2012, the defendants caused or allowed false and misleading statements to be made concerning the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for, among other things, damages in favor of the Company, certain corporate actions to purportedly improve the Company’s corporate governance, and an award of costs and expenses to the putative plaintiff stockholder, including attorneys’ fees. On April 10, 2012, a second derivative complaint was filed in the Delaware District Court. The complaint, titled Brownlee v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-00456-CJB, contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief to the Tsevegmid action. By court order on April 30, 2012, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the Tsevegmid action and the Brownlee action were consolidated into a single action in the Delaware District Court. On May 15, 2012, defendants filed a motion to challenge Delaware as the appropriate venue for the consolidated action. On March 4, 2013, the magistrate judge issued a Report and Recommendation recommending to the court that defendants’ motion be granted and that the case be transferred to the District of Arizona. On July 12, 2013, the court adopted the magistrate judge’s Report and Recommendation and ordered the case transferred to the District of Arizona. The transfer was completed on July 15, 2013.
	On April 12, 2012, a derivative complaint was filed in the Arizona District Court, titled Tindall v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00769-ROS. In addition to alleging claims and seeking relief similar to the claims and relief asserted in the Tsevegmid and Brownlee actions, the Tindall complaint alleges violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On April 19, 2012, a second derivative complaint was filed in the Arizona District Court, titled Nederhood v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00819-JWS. The Nederhood complaint contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief to the Tsevegmid and Brownlee actions. On May 17, 2012 and May 30, 2012, respectively, two additional derivative complaints, containing similar allegations and seeking similar relief as the Nederhood complaint, were filed in Arizona District Court: Morris v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-01031-JAT and Tan v. Ahearn, et al., 2:12-cv-01144-NVW.
	On July 17, 2012, the Arizona District Court issued an order granting First Solar’s motion to transfer the derivative actions to Judge David Campbell, the judge to whom the Smilovits class action is assigned. On August 8, 2012, the court consolidated the four derivative actions pending in Arizona District Court, and on August 31, 2012, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. Defendants filed a motion to stay the action on September 14, 2012. On December 17, 2012, the Arizona District Court granted Defendants’ motion to stay pending resolution of the Smilovits class action. On August 13, 2013, Judge Campbell consolidated the two derivative actions transferred from the Delaware District Court with the stayed Arizona derivative actions.
	On July 16, 2013, a derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, titled Bargar, et al. v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. CV2013-009938, by a putative shareholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company. The complaint contains similar allegations to the Delaware and Arizona derivative cases, and includes claims for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duties, insider trading, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets. By court order on October 3, 2013, the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County granted the parties’ stipulation to defer defendants’ response to the complaint pending resolution of the Smilovits class action or expiration of the stay issued in the consolidated derivative actions in the Arizona District Court. On November 5, 2013, the matter was placed on the court’s inactive calendar. The parties have jointly sought and obtained multiple requests to continue the action on the inactive calendar. Most recently, on March 27, 2015, the court ordered that the action shall remain on its inactive calendar until July 31, 2015.
	The Company believes that plaintiffs in the derivative actions lack standing to pursue litigation on behalf of First Solar. The derivative actions are still in the initial stages and there has been no discovery. Accordingly, we are not in a position to assess whether any loss or adverse effect on our financial condition is probable or remote or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any.
	Department of Labor Proceeding
	In March 2015, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) notified our wholly-owned subsidiary First Solar Electric, LLC (“FSE”) of the DOL’s findings following a labor standards compliance review under the Davis Bacon and Related Acts at the Agua Caliente project in southwestern Arizona. FSE served as the general contractor for the project. The DOL alleges that certain workers at the project were misclassified and, as a result of that misclassification, were not paid the required prevailing wage. We disagree with certain of the DOL’s investigative findings and currently are pursuing an administrative review of this matter. Possible adverse outcomes include the payment of back wages and debarment of FSE and its affiliates from doing certain business with the U.S. federal government. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the DOL proceeding.

13_ShareBased_Compensation

13. Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation Disclosure	13. Share-Based Compensation
	We measure share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize this cost as share-based compensation expense over the required or estimated service period for awards expected to vest. The share-based compensation expense that we recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Share-based compensation expense included in:
	Cost of sales	$	3,404	$	5,310
	Research and development	1,169		1,252
	Selling, general and administrative	7,494		6,736
	Production start-up	12		—
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,079	$	13,298
	The following table presents our share-based compensation expense by type of award for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Restricted and performance stock units	$	10,952	$	12,520
	Unrestricted stock	331		331
	Stock purchase plan	315		249
		11,598		13,100
	Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory	481		198
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,079	$	13,298
	Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory was $4.8 million and $5.3 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, we had $56.8 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted and performance stock units including, our stock purchase plan, which we expect to recognize as expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.4 years.
	The estimated forfeiture rate used to record compensation expense is based on historical forfeitures and is adjusted periodically based on actual results. At March 31, 2015 and 2014, our forfeiture rates were 9.5% and 9.5%, respectively.

14_Income_Taxes

14. Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes Disclosure	14. Income Taxes
	Our effective tax rates were (8.8)% and 20.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily as a result of a greater percentage of profits earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the remeasurement of uncertain tax positions. The provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal rate of 35% primarily due to the benefit associated with foreign income taxed at lower rates, including the beneficial impact of our Malaysian tax holiday, partially offset by additional tax expense attributable to losses in jurisdictions for which no tax benefits could be recorded.
	Our Malaysian subsidiary has been granted a long-term tax holiday that expires in 2027. The tax holiday, which generally provides for a full exemption from Malaysian income tax, is conditional upon our continued compliance in meeting certain employment and investment thresholds, which we are currently in compliance with and expect to continue to comply with through the expiration of the tax holiday in 2027.
	We account for uncertain tax positions pursuant to the recognition and measurement criteria under ASC 740. It is reasonably possible that $13.4 million of uncertain tax positions will be recognized within the next 12 months.
	In April 2015, we received a private letter ruling in a foreign jurisdiction related to the timing of the deduction for certain of our obligations. Our historical position has been to treat these obligations as currently deductible. This treatment ultimately resulted in no tax benefit to the income statement due to an income tax holiday in the jurisdiction. In accordance with the private letter ruling, we will begin treating these obligations as deductible when we actually make payments on the obligations, which are expected to occur subsequent to the expiration of the tax holiday. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, we expect to record a benefit of approximately $42 million through the tax provision to establish a deferred tax asset associated with the future deductibility of these obligations.
	We are subject to audit by various state, local, and foreign tax authorities. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we settled a tax audit in Spain, which resulted in a discrete tax expense of $2.5 million during the quarter. We also continue to have discussions regarding an ongoing dispute with the German taxing authorities. We believe that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed by our tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with our expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

15_Net_Income_Per_Share

15. Net Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share Disclosure	15. Net (Loss) Income per Share
	Basic net (loss) income per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net (loss) income per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common stock, including employee stock options, restricted and performance stock units, and stock purchase plan shares, unless there is a net loss for the period. In computing diluted net (loss) income per share, we utilize the treasury stock method.
	The calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Basic net (loss) income per share
	Numerator:
	Net (loss) income	$	(62,292	)		$	112,007
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	100,375				99,591
	Diluted net (loss) income per share
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	100,375				99,591
	Effect of restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares	—				2,231
	Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share	100,375				101,822
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Per share information - basic:
	Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.62	)		$	1.12
	Per share information - diluted:
	Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.62	)		$	1.1
	The following number of outstanding employee stock options, restricted and performance stock units, and stock purchase plan shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as they would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Anti-dilutive shares	1,413			164

16_Comprehensive_Loss_Income_a

16. Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	16. Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive (loss) income, which includes foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, the impact of which has been excluded from net (loss) income and reflected as components of stockholders’ equity, was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net (loss) income	$	(62,292	)	$	112,007
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,393		)	60
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments for the period, net of tax of $(2,057) and $(1,662)	38,287			20,176
	Less: reclassification for (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax of $0 and $0	—			—
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments	38,287			20,176
	Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments for the period, net of tax of $1,637 and $1,463	(7,049		)	(1,872		)
	Less: reclassification for losses (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax of $(830) and $0	5,489			(473		)
	Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments	(1,560		)	(2,345		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,334			17,891
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(40,958	)	$	129,898
	Components and details of accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(53,337	)	$	102,299		$	1,178		$	50,140
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(15,393		)	38,287			(7,049		)	15,845
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			5,489			5,489
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(15,393		)	38,287			(1,560		)	21,334
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(68,730	)	$	140,586		$	(382	)	$	71,474
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(34,190	)	$	11,558		$	(3,144	)	$	(25,776	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	60			20,176			(1,872		)	18,364
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			(473		)	(473		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	60			20,176			(2,345		)	17,891
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(34,130	)	$	31,734		$	(5,489	)	$	(7,885	)
	Details of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amount Reclassified for the Three Months Ended March 31,						Income Statement Line Item
		2015			2014
	Gains and (losses) on derivative contracts
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	352		$	—		Net sales
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	(3,213		)	—			Cost of sales
	Interest rate and cross currency swap contracts	(112		)	(259		)	Interest expense, net
	Cross currency swap contract	(3,346		)	732			Foreign currency loss, net
		(6,319		)	473			Total before tax
		830			—			Tax benefit
		$	(5,489	)	$	473		Total net of tax

17_Segment_Reporting

17. Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure	17. Segment Reporting
	We operate our business in two segments. Our components segment involves the design, manufacture, and sale of solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. We primarily manufacture cadmium telluride (“CdTe”) modules and have also begun manufacturing high-efficiency crystalline silicon modules. Third-party customers of our components segment include project developers, system integrators, and owners and operators of PV solar power systems.
	Our second segment is our fully integrated systems business (“systems segment”), through which we provide complete turn-key PV solar power systems, or solar solutions, that draw upon our capabilities, which include (i) project development, (ii) EPC services, (iii) O&M services, and (iv) project finance expertise. We may provide our full EPC services or any combination of individual products and services within our EPC capabilities depending upon the customer and market opportunity. All of our systems segment products and services are for PV solar power systems which primarily use our solar modules, and such products and services are sold directly to investor-owned utilities, independent power developers and producers, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners. Additionally within our systems segment, we may hold and operate certain of our PV solar power systems based on strategic opportunities.
	In our reportable segment financial disclosures, we include an allocation of net sales value for all solar modules manufactured by our components segment and installed in projects sold or built by our systems segment in the net sales of our components segment. In the gross profit of our reportable segment disclosures, we include the corresponding cost of sales value for the solar modules installed in projects sold or built by our systems segment in the components segment. The cost of solar modules is comprised of the manufactured cost incurred by our components segment.
	See Note 24. “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a complete discussion of our segment reporting.
	Financial information about our reportable segments during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015									Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Components			Systems			Total			Components			Systems		Total
	Net sales	$	225,617		$	243,592		$	469,209		$	316,858		$	633,300	$	950,158
	Gross profit	$	19,389		$	19,592		$	38,981		$	25,088		$	211,623	$	236,711
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	59,811		$	3,418		$	63,229		$	53,131		$	7,979	$	61,110
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(29,432	)	$	(38,666	)	$	(68,098	)	$	(29,426	)	$	170,258	$	140,832
		31-Mar-15									March 31, 2014
		Components			Systems			Total			Components			Systems		Total
	Goodwill	$	16,152		$	68,833		$	84,985		$	16,152		$	68,833	$	84,985
	Total assets	$	4,132,231		$	2,542,443		$	6,674,674		$	3,931,076		$	2,445,277	$	6,376,353
	Product Revenue
	The following table sets forth the total amounts of solar module and solar power system net sales recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the purposes of the following table, (i) “Solar module revenue” is composed of total revenues from the sale of solar modules to third parties, which does not include any systems segment product or service offerings and (ii) “Solar power system revenue” is composed of total revenues from the sale of our solar power systems and related products and services, including the solar modules installed in such solar power systems along with revenue generated from our PV solar power systems (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Solar module revenue	$	101,133		$	41,001
	Solar power system revenue	368,076			909,157
	Net sales	$	469,209		$	950,158

2_Summary_of_Significant_Accou1

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, inventory valuation, recoverability of project assets, estimates of future cash flows from and the economic useful lives of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, certain accrued liabilities, income taxes and tax valuation allowances, reportable segment allocations, product warranties and manufacturing excursions, accrued collection and recycling expense, and applying the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and goodwill. Despite our intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition — Systems Business. We recognize revenue for arrangements entered into by our systems business generally using two revenue recognition models, following the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, Accounting for Long-term Construction Contracts, or ASC 360, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate, for arrangements which include land or land rights.
	For systems business sales arrangements that do not include land or land rights and thus are accounted for under ASC 605, we use the percentage-of-completion method, as described further below, using actual costs incurred over total estimated costs to develop and construct a project (including module costs) as our standard accounting policy, unless we cannot make reasonably dependable estimates of the costs to complete the contract, in which case we would use the completed contract method.
	For systems business sales arrangements that are accounted for under ASC 360 where we convey control of land or land rights, we record the sale as revenue using one of the following revenue recognition methods, based upon evaluation of the substance and form of the terms and conditions of such real estate sales arrangements:
	(i)	We apply the percentage-of-completion method, as further described below, to certain real estate sales arrangements where we convey control of land or land rights, when a sale has been consummated, we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer, the initial and continuing investment criteria have been met, we have the ability to estimate our costs and progress toward completion, and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. When evaluating whether the usual risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer, we consider whether we have or may be contingently required to have any prohibited forms of continuing involvement with the project. Prohibited forms of continuing involvement in a real estate sales arrangement may include us retaining risks or rewards associated with the project that are not customary with the range of risks or rewards that an engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) contractor may assume. The initial and continuing investment requirements, which demonstrate a buyer’s commitment to honor its obligations for the sales arrangement, can typically be met through the receipt of cash or an irrevocable letter of credit from a highly creditworthy lending institution.
	(ii)	Depending on whether the initial and continuing investment requirements have been met and whether collectability from the buyer is reasonably assured, we may align our revenue recognition and release of project assets or deferred project costs to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer if the sale has been consummated and we have transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer.
	For any systems business sales arrangements containing multiple deliverables (including our solar modules) not required to be accounted for under ASC 605 (long-term construction contracts) or ASC 360 (real estate), we analyze each activity within the sales arrangement to adhere to the separation guidelines of ASC 605 for multiple-element arrangements. We allocate revenue for any transactions involving multiple elements to each unit of accounting based on its relative selling price and recognize revenue for each unit of accounting when all revenue recognition criteria for a unit of accounting have been met.
	Revenue Recognition — Percentage-of-Completion. In applying the percentage-of-completion method, we use the actual costs incurred relative to the estimated costs to complete (including module costs) in order to estimate the progress towards completion to determine the amount of revenue and profit to recognize. Costs incurred include all installed direct materials, installed solar modules, labor, subcontractor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor and supplies. We recognize direct material and solar module costs as incurred when the direct materials and solar modules have been installed in the project. When contracts specify that title to direct materials and solar modules transfers to the customer before installation has been performed, we will not recognize revenue or the associated costs until those materials are installed and have met all other revenue recognition requirements. We consider direct materials and solar modules to be installed when they are permanently placed or affixed to the solar power system as required by engineering designs. Solar modules manufactured and owned by us that will be used in our solar power systems remain within inventory until such modules are installed in a system.
	The percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition requires us to make estimates of contract revenues and costs to complete our projects. In making such estimates, management judgments are required to evaluate significant assumptions including the amount of net contract revenues, the cost of materials and labor, expected labor productivity, the impact of potential variances in schedule completion, and the impact of any penalties, claims, change orders, or performance incentives.
	If estimated total costs on any contract are greater than the contract revenues, we recognize the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of the revisions to estimates related to contract revenues and costs to complete contracts, including penalties, claims, change orders, incentive awards, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the period in which the revisions to estimates are identified and the loss can be reasonably estimated. The effect of the changes on future periods are recognized as if the revised estimates had been used since revenue was initially recognized under the contract. Such revisions could occur in any reporting period and the effects may be material depending on the size of the contracts or the changes in estimates.
	Revenue Recognition — Components Business. Our components business sells solar modules directly to third-party solar power system integrators and operators. We recognize revenue for module sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the module has occurred and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Under this policy, we record a trade receivable for the selling price of our module and reduce inventory for the cost of goods sold when delivery occurs in accordance with the terms of the sales contracts. Our customers typically do not have extended payment terms or rights of return for our products.
	Revenue Recognition — Operations and Maintenance. Our operations and maintenance (“O&M”) revenue is billed and recognized as services are performed. Costs of these revenues are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Ventures and Variable Interest Entities	Ventures and Variable Interest Entities. In the normal course of business we establish wholly owned project companies which may be considered variable interest entities (“VIEs”). We consolidate wholly owned variable interest entities when we are considered the primary beneficiary of such entities. Additionally, we have and may in the future form joint venture type arrangements (“ventures”), including partnerships and partially owned limited liability companies or similar legal structures, with one or more third parties primarily to develop and build solar power projects. These types of ventures are core to our business and long-term strategy related to providing solar photovoltaic (“PV”) generation solutions using our modules to sustainable geographic markets. We analyze all of our ventures and classify them into two groups: (i) ventures that must be consolidated because they are either not VIEs and we hold the majority voting interest, or because they are VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary and (ii) ventures that do not need to be consolidated and are accounted for under either the cost or equity methods of accounting because they are either not VIEs and we hold a minority voting interest, or because they are VIEs and we are not the primary beneficiary.
	Ventures are considered VIEs if (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support; (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the ability to make certain decisions, the obligation to absorb expected losses, or the right to receive expected residual returns; or (iii) an equity investor has voting rights that are disproportionate to its economic interest and substantially all of the entity’s activities are conducted on behalf of the investor. Our venture agreements typically require some form of project development capital or project equity ranging from amounts necessary to obtain a power purchase agreement (“PPA”) (or similar power off-take agreement) to a pro-rata portion of the total equity required to develop and complete construction of a project, depending upon the opportunity and the market our ventures are in.
	We are considered the primary beneficiary of and are required to consolidate a VIE if we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the entity. If we determine that we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity, then we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
Cost and Equity Method Investments	Cost and Equity Method Investments. We account for our unconsolidated ventures using either the cost or equity method of accounting depending upon whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence over a venture. We consider the participating and protective rights we have as well as the legal form of the venture when evaluating whether we have the ability to exercise significant influence. Cost method investments are initially recorded and subsequently carried at their historical cost, and income is recorded to the extent we receive dividends. We use the equity method of accounting for our equity investments when we have the ability to significantly influence the operations or financial decisions of the investee. We initially record the investment at cost and adjust the carrying amount each period to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on our ownership percentage. We monitor these investments, which are included in “Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, for impairment and record reductions in their carrying values if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recorded when an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider our ability and intent to hold the investment until the carrying amount is fully recovered. Circumstances that indicate an other-than-temporary impairment may have occurred include factors such as decreases in quoted market prices or declines in operations of the investee. The evaluation of an investment for potential impairment requires us to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded no impairment losses related to our cost and equity method investments.

4_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_Market1

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	722,413	$	1,480,452
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	57,495		1,602
	Total cash and cash equivalents	779,908		1,482,054
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt	663,174		462,731
	Time deposits	40,000		40,000
	U.S. debt	—		2,800
	U.S. government obligations	1,500		3,501
	Total marketable securities	704,674		509,032
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	$	1,484,582	$	1,991,086
Available-for-sale Securities	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign debt	$	663,753	$	200	$	779	$	663,174
	Time deposits	40,000		—		—		40,000
	U.S. government obligations	1,500		—		—		1,500
	Total	$	705,253	$	200	$	779	$	704,674
		As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign debt	$	463,466	$	18	$	753	$	462,731
	Time deposits	40,000		—		—		40,000
	U.S. debt	2,800		—		—		2,800
	U.S. government obligations	3,500		1		—		3,501
	Total	$	509,766	$	19	$	753	$	509,032
Available-for-sale Securities by Maturity	The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	One year or less	$	227,154	$	8	$	170	$	226,992
	One year to two years	254,830		65		250		254,645
	Two years to three years	223,269		127		359		223,037
	Total	$	705,253	$	200	$	779	$	704,674
		As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
				Gains		Losses		Value
	One year or less	$	329,974	$	14	$	174	$	329,814
	One year to two years	125,892		5		380		125,517
	Two years to three years	53,900		—		199		53,701
	Total	$	509,766	$	19	$	753	$	509,032
Available-for-sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	The following tables show gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values for those marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, aggregated by major security type and the length of time the marketable securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2015
		In Loss Position for				In Loss Position for				Total
		Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater
		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	Foreign debt	$	421,117	$	779	$	—	$	—	$	421,117	$	779
	Total	$	421,117	$	779	$	—	$	—	$	421,117	$	779
		As of December 31, 2014
		In Loss Position for				In Loss Position for				Total
		Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater
		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross		Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	Foreign debt	$	391,840	$	740	$	41,060	$	13	$	432,900	$	753
	Total	$	391,840	$	740	$	41,060	$	13	$	432,900	$	753

5_Restricted_Cash_and_Investme1

5. Restricted Cash and Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash And Investments	Restricted cash and investments consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Restricted cash		$	51,144	$	49,818
	Restricted investments		370,731		357,235
	Restricted cash and investments (1)		$	421,875	$	407,053
	-1	There was an additional $75.4 million and $74.7 million of restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other current assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Restricted Available For Sale Securities	The following tables summarize unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted investments by major security type as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			As of March 31, 2015
			Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign government obligations		$	170,352	$	124,001	$	—	$	294,353
	U.S. government obligations		59,156		17,222		—		76,378
	Total		$	229,508	$	141,223	$	—	$	370,731
			As of December 31, 2014
			Amortized		Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Gains		Losses		Value
	Foreign government obligations		$	189,455	$	93,280	$	—	$	282,735
	U.S. government obligations		58,510		15,990		—		74,500
	Total		$	247,965	$	109,270	$	—	$	357,235

6_Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_D1

6. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	Accounts receivable trade, net
	Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Accounts receivable trade, gross		$	254,247		$	142,542
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(30		)	(7,108		)
	Accounts receivable trade, net		$	254,217		$	135,434
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $50.8 million and $21.4 million, respectively, of our accounts receivable trade, net were secured by letters of credit, bank guarantees, or other forms of financial security issued by creditworthy financial institutions.
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Accounts receivable, unbilled		$	57,839		$	41,868
	Retainage		23,748			35,103
	Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage		$	81,587		$	76,971
Schedule of Inventories, Current and Noncurrent	Inventories consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Raw materials		$	163,379		$	157,468
	Work in process		23,731			20,829
	Finished goods		425,067			442,408
	Inventories		$	612,177		$	620,705
	Inventories — current		$	496,599		$	505,088
	Inventories — noncurrent (1)		$	115,578		$	115,617
	-1	We purchase a critical raw material that is used in our core production process in quantities that exceed anticipated consumption within our operating cycle (which is 12 months). We classify the raw materials that we do not expect to be consumed within our operating cycle as noncurrent.
Scheduel of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Prepaid expenses		$	109,075		$	42,193
	Derivative instruments		3,601			9,791
	Restricted cash		75,394			74,695
	Other current assets		75,214			75,991
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$	263,284		$	202,670
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Land		$	12,059		$	12,378
	Buildings and improvements		385,762			381,925
	Machinery and equipment		1,744,958			1,646,841
	Office equipment and furniture		137,623			134,268
	Leasehold improvements		50,052			50,096
	Construction in progress		70,553			154,497
	Stored assets (1)		155,464			155,389
	Property, plant and equipment, gross		2,556,471			2,535,394
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,188,028		)	(1,133,090		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	1,368,443		$	1,402,304
	-1	Consists of machinery and equipment (“stored assets”) that were originally purchased for installation in our previously planned manufacturing capacity expansions. We intend to install and place the stored assets into service when such assets are required or beneficial to our existing installed manufacturing capacity or when market demand supports additional or market specific manufacturing capacity. As the remaining stored assets are neither in the condition or location to produce modules as intended, we will not begin depreciation until such assets are placed into service. The stored assets are evaluated for impairment under a held and used impairment model whenever events or changes in business circumstances arise, including consideration of technological obsolescence, that may indicate that the carrying amount of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable. We ceased the capitalization of interest on such stored assets once they were physically received from the related machinery and equipment vendors.
Schedule of PV Solar Power Systems, Net	PV solar power systems, net consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	PV solar power systems, gross		$	47,690		$	47,727
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,967		)	(1,334		)
	PV solar power systems, net		$	45,723		$	46,393
Schedule of Capitalized Interest	The cost of constructing facilities, equipment, and project assets includes interest costs incurred during the assets’ construction period. The components of interest expense and capitalized interest are as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Interest cost incurred		$	(3,477	)	$	(2,651	)
	Interest cost capitalized — property, plant and equipment		567			578
	Interest cost capitalized — project assets		2,716			1,663
	Interest expense, net		$	(194	)	$	(410	)
Schedule of Project Assets and Deferred Project Costs	Project assets and deferred project costs consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Project assets — land		$	21,015		$	20,170
	Project assets — development costs including project acquisition costs		492,618			359,203
	Project assets — construction costs		308,544			408,402
	Project assets		822,177			787,775
	Deferred project costs — current		311,118			29,354
	Deferred project costs — noncurrent		10,977			22,573
	Deferred project costs		322,095			51,927
	Total project assets and deferred project costs		$	1,144,272		$	839,702
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent	Other assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Notes receivable (1)		$	11,080		$	12,096
	Income taxes receivable		4,264			4,850
	Deferred rent		20,680			20,779
	Other		23,841			23,830
	Other assets		$	59,865		$	61,555
	-1	On April 8, 2009, we entered into a credit facility agreement with a solar power project entity of one of our customers for an available amount of €17.5 million to provide financing for a PV solar power system. The credit facility replaced a bridge loan that we had made to this entity. The credit facility bears interest at 8.0% per annum payable quarterly with the full amount due on December 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance on the credit facility was €7.0 million ($7.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively, at the balance sheet dates). On February 7, 2014, we entered into a convertible loan agreement with a strategic entity for an available amount of up to $5.0 million. The loan bears interest at 8.0% per annum. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance outstanding on the convertible loan was $3.5 million
Schedule of Goodwill	Goodwill, summarized by relevant reporting unit, consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			December 31,			Acquisitions			March 31, 2015
			2014
	CdTe components		$	403,420		$	—		$	403,420
	Crystalline silicon components		6,097			—			6,097
	Systems		68,833			—			68,833
	Accumulated impairment losses		(393,365		)	—			(393,365		)
	Total		$	84,985		$	—		$	84,985
Schedule of Other Intangibles, Net	The following tables summarize our intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31, 2015
			Gross Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
	Patents		$	5,747		$	(1,409	)	$	4,338
	Developed technology		76,153			(1,227		)	74,926
	In-process research and development		39,100			—			39,100
	Total		$	121,000		$	(2,636	)	$	118,364
			December 31, 2014
			Gross Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
	Patents		5,347			$	(1,208	)	$	4,139
	Developed technology		2,757			(460		)	2,297
	In-process research and development		112,800			—			112,800
	Total		$	120,904		$	(1,668	)	$	119,236
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Accrued compensation and benefits		$	26,966		$	43,072
	Accrued property, plant and equipment		23,068			30,723
	Accrued inventory		70,476			36,233
	Accrued project assets and deferred project costs		161,260			113,012
	Product warranty liability (1)		70,031			69,656
	Accrued expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses (1)		8,785			7,800
	Other		76,327			87,660
	Accrued expenses		$	436,913		$	388,156
	-1	See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of “Product warranty liability” and “Accrued expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses.”
Schedule of Other Liabilities	Other current liabilities
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Deferred revenue		$	25,194		$	21,879
	Derivative instruments		7,590			7,657
	Contingent consideration (1)		12,698			36,817
	Other		11,781			22,349
	Other current liabilities		$	57,263		$	88,702
	-1	See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
	Other liabilities
	Other liabilities consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Product warranty liability (1)		$	150,374		$	153,401
	Other taxes payable		34,477			46,555
	Contingent consideration (1)		17,151			17,077
	Liability in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses (1)		16,370			23,139
	Other (1)		47,749			44,374
	Other liabilities		$	266,121		$	284,546
	(1) See Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion on “Product warranty liability,” “Contingent consideration,” “Liability in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses,” and “Energy test guarantees.”

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum1

7. Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
		Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets				Other Current Liabilities				Other Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	810			$	—			$	—
	Cross-currency swap contract	—				4,364				10,921
	Interest rate swap contract	—				118				—
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	810			$	4,482			$	10,921
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	2,791			$	3,108			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	2,791			$	3,108			$	—
	Total derivative instruments	$	3,601			$	7,590			$	10,921
		December 31, 2014
		Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets				Other Current Liabilities				Other Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	1,213			$	—			$	—
	Cross-currency swap contract	—				2,996				8,995
	Interest rate swap contract	—				164				46
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	1,213			$	3,160			$	9,041
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	8,578			$	4,497			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	8,578			$	4,497			$	—
	Total derivative instruments	$	9,791			$	7,657			$	9,041
Offsetting Derivatives [Table Text Block]	The impact of offsetting balances associated with derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments is shown below (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet
		Gross Asset (Liability)				Gross Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amount Recognized in Financial Statements			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	810			—			810			—		—		$	810
	Cross-currency swap contract	$	(15,285	)		—			(15,285	)		—		—		$	(15,285	)
	Interest rate swap contract	$	(118	)		—			(118	)		—		—		$	(118	)
		December 31, 2014
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet
		Gross Asset (Liability)				Gross Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheet			Net Amount Recognized in Financial Statements			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	1,213			—			1,213			—		—		$	1,213
	Cross-currency swap contract	$	(11,991	)		—			(11,991	)		—		—		$	(11,991	)
	Interest rate swap contract	$	(210	)		—			(210	)		—		—		$	(210	)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following tables present the effective amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts				Interest Rate Swap Contract				Cross Currency Swap Contract			Total
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2014	$	6,621			$	(210	)		$	(3,399	)	$	3,012
	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,370		)		29				(3,345		)	(8,686		)
	Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting:
	Net sales	(352		)		—				—			(352		)
	Cost of sales	3,213				—				—			3,213
	Foreign currency loss, net	—				—				3,346			3,346
	Interest expense, net	—				63				49			112
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015	$	4,112			$	(118	)		$	(3,349	)	$	645
		Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts				Interest Rate Swap Contract				Cross Currency Swap Contract			Total
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2013	$	4,351			$	(703	)		$	(5,820	)	$	(2,172	)
	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,878		)		(8		)		1,552			(3,334		)
	Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting:
	Foreign currency loss, net	—				—				(732		)	(732		)
	Interest expense, net	—				164				95			259
	Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2014	$	(527	)		$	(547	)		$	(4,905	)	$	(5,979	)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the amounts related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
				Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
				Three Months Ended March 31,
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		2015				2014
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Foreign currency loss, net		$	(8,317	)		$	(669	)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Cost of sales		$	14,516			$	503
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Net sales		$	—			$	—
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values associated with our foreign exchange forward contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions):
		March 31, 2015
	Currency	Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
	Australian dollar	AUD 11.3		$8.60
	Japanese yen	JPY 961.9		$8.00
		December 31, 2014
	Currency	Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
	Australian dollar	AUD 38.4		$31.50
	Japanese yen	JPY 1,223.2		$10.30
Schedule Of Notional Value Of Foreign Exchange Forward Derivatives [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values of our foreign exchange forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting were as follows (notional amounts and U.S. dollar equivalents in millions):
		March 31, 2015
	Transaction	Currency		Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
	Purchase	Euro		€ 75.20		$81.40
	Sell	Euro		€ 141.20		$152.90
	Purchase	Australian dollar		AUD 50.8		$38.90
	Sell	Australian dollar		AUD 93.9		$71.90
	Purchase	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 92.5		$24.90
	Sell	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 58.5		$15.80
	Sell	Canadian dollar		CAD 7.1		$5.60
	Purchase	Japanese yen		JPY 223.9		$1.90
	Sell	Japanese yen		JPY 2,234.6		$18.60
	Purchase	British pound		GBP 3.0		$4.40
	Sell	British pound		GBP 36.4		$53.80
	Purchase	Chinese yuan		CNY 109.7		$17.70
	Sell	Chinese yuan		CNY 5.5		$0.90
		December 31, 2014
	Transaction	Currency		Notional Amount		USD Equivalent
	Purchase	Euro		€ 91.10		$110.90
	Sell	Euro		€ 92.40		$112.50
	Purchase	Australian dollar		AUD 26.0		$21.30
	Sell	Australian dollar		AUD 118.0		$96.70
	Purchase	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 146.0		$41.70
	Sell	Malaysian ringgit		MYR 93.6		$26.70
	Purchase	Canadian dollar		CAD 0.7		$0.60
	Sell	Canadian dollar		CAD 8.3		$7.10
	Purchase	Japanese yen		JPY 244.6		$2.10
	Sell	Japanese yen		JPY 2,322.1		$19.50
	Purchase	British pound		GBP 1.4		$2.20
	Sell	British pound		GBP 37.7		$58.60

8_Fair_Value_Measurements_Tabl

8. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities that we measure on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
				Date Using
		Total Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant
		Value and		in Active		Other		Significant
		Carrying		Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Value on Our		Identical		Inputs		Inputs
		Balance Sheet		Assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	57,495	$	57,495	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt	663,174		—		663,174		—
	Time deposits	40,000		40,000		—		—
	U.S. government obligations	1,500		—		1,500		—
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731		—		370,731		—
	Derivative assets	3,601		—		3,601		—
	Total assets	$	1,136,501	$	97,495	$	1,039,006	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	18,511	$	—	$	18,511	$	—
		December 31, 2014
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
				Date Using
		Total Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant
		Value and		in Active		Other		Significant
		Carrying		Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Value on Our		Identical		Inputs		Inputs
		Balance Sheet		Assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	1,602	$	1,602	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities:
	Foreign debt	462,731		—		462,731		—
	Time deposits	40,000		40,000		—		—
	U.S. debt	2,800		—		2,800		—
	U.S. government obligations	3,501		—		3,501		—
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	357,235		—		357,235		—
	Derivative assets	9,791		—		9,791		—
	Total assets	$	877,660	$	41,602	$	836,058	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	16,698	$	—	$	16,698	$	—
Fair value by balance sheet grouping	The carrying values and fair values of our financial and derivative instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Assets:
	Marketable securities	$	704,674	$	704,674	$	509,032	$	509,032
	Foreign exchange forward contract assets	$	3,601	$	3,601	$	9,791	$	9,791
	Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	$	370,731	$	370,731	$	357,235	$	357,235
	Notes receivable - noncurrent	$	11,080	$	11,075	$	12,096	$	12,189
	Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	$	9,127	$	10,214	$	9,127	$	9,812
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	242,509	$	252,790	$	216,921	$	224,489
	Interest rate swap contract liabilities	$	118	$	118	$	210	$	210
	Cross-currency swap contract liabilities	$	15,285	$	15,285	$	11,991	$	11,991
	Foreign exchange forward contract liabilities	$	3,108	$	3,108	$	4,497	$	4,497

9_Investments_in_Unconsolidate1

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Joint Ventures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Cost and Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Equity method investments	$	250,649	$	249,614
	Cost method investments	6,672		5,415
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures	$	257,321	$	255,029

10_PercentageofCompletion_Chan1

10. Percentage-of-Completion Changes in Estimates (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes in Estimates for Systems Business [Abstract]
Changes in Estimates Systems Business	The table below outlines the impact on gross profit of the aggregate net changes in systems business contract estimates (both increases and decreases) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as well as the number of projects that comprise such aggregate net changes in estimates. For purposes of the below table, we only include projects that have a net impact on gross profit from changes in estimates of at least $1.0 million during a period. Also included in the table below is the net change in estimates as a percentage of the aggregate gross profit for such projects for each period.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Number of projects	6			8
	Increases (decreases) in gross profit resulting from net changes in estimates (in thousands)	$	22,966		$	(9,690	)
	Net change in estimates as percentage of aggregate gross profit for associated projects	1.9		%	(0.4		)%

11_Debt_Tables

11. Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Our long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
						Balance (USD)
	Loan Agreement		Maturity		Loan Denomination	March 31,			December 31,
						2015			2014
	Revolving Credit Facility		July 2018 (Tranche A) October 2015 (Tranche B)		USD	$	—		$	—
	Project Construction Credit Facilities		Various		Various	133,115			75,418
	Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement		Sep-18		MYR	73,117			88,606
	Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement		Apr-18		EUR	30,348			34,112
	Malaysian Facility Agreement		Mar-16		EUR	12,614			25,818
	Capital lease obligations		Various		Various	1,436			1,558
	Long-term debt principal					250,630			225,512
	Less unamortized discount					(8,121		)	(8,591		)
	Total long-term debt					242,509			216,921
	Less current portion					(42,123		)	(51,918		)
	Noncurrent portion					$	200,386		$	165,003
Schedule of Borrowing Rate on Debt	Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:
	Loan Agreement		Borrowing Rate at March 31, 2015
	Revolving Credit Facility		2.43%
	Project Construction Credit Facilities		Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
			Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
			VAT loans at bank rate plus 1.30%
	Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement		KLIBOR plus 2.00% (2)
	Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement		EURIBOR plus 1.00%
	Malaysian Facility Agreement (1)		Fixed rate facility at 4.54%
			Floating rate facility at EURIBOR plus 0.55% (2)
	Capital lease obligations		Various
	-1	Outstanding balance split equally between fixed and floating rates.
	-2	Interest rate hedges have been entered into relating to these variable rates. See Note 7. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	At March 31, 2015, the future principal payments on our long-term debt, excluding payments related to capital leases, were due as follows (in thousands):
			Total Debt
	Remainder of 2015		$	26,668
	2016		34,603
	2017		50,659
	2018		28,169
	2019		3,625
	Thereafter		105,470
	Total long-term debt future principal payments		$	249,194

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci1

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	Product warranty activities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$	223,057		$	198,041
	Accruals for new warranties issued	6,740			11,269
	Settlements	(2,749		)	(4,079		)
	Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	(6,643		)	3,063
	Product warranty liability, end of period	$	220,405		$	208,294
	Current portion of warranty liability	$	70,031		$	68,266
	Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	$	150,374		$	140,028

13_ShareBased_Compensation_Tab

13. Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The share-based compensation expense that we recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Share-based compensation expense included in:
	Cost of sales	$	3,404	$	5,310
	Research and development	1,169		1,252
	Selling, general and administrative	7,494		6,736
	Production start-up	12		—
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,079	$	13,298
	The following table presents our share-based compensation expense by type of award for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Restricted and performance stock units	$	10,952	$	12,520
	Unrestricted stock	331		331
	Stock purchase plan	315		249
		11,598		13,100
	Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory	481		198
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,079	$	13,298

15_Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

15. Net Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Basic net (loss) income per share
	Numerator:
	Net (loss) income	$	(62,292	)		$	112,007
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	100,375				99,591
	Diluted net (loss) income per share
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	100,375				99,591
	Effect of restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares	—				2,231
	Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share	100,375				101,822
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Per share information - basic:
	Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.62	)		$	1.12
	Per share information - diluted:
	Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.62	)		$	1.1
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following number of outstanding employee stock options, restricted and performance stock units, and stock purchase plan shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as they would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Anti-dilutive shares	1,413			164

16_Comprehensive_Loss_Income_a1

16. Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive (loss) income, which includes foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, the impact of which has been excluded from net (loss) income and reflected as components of stockholders’ equity, was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net (loss) income	$	(62,292	)	$	112,007
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,393		)	60
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments for the period, net of tax of $(2,057) and $(1,662)	38,287			20,176
	Less: reclassification for (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax of $0 and $0	—			—
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments	38,287			20,176
	Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments for the period, net of tax of $1,637 and $1,463	(7,049		)	(1,872		)
	Less: reclassification for losses (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax of $(830) and $0	5,489			(473		)
	Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments	(1,560		)	(2,345		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,334			17,891
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(40,958	)	$	129,898
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components and details of accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(53,337	)	$	102,299		$	1,178		$	50,140
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(15,393		)	38,287			(7,049		)	15,845
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			5,489			5,489
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(15,393		)	38,287			(1,560		)	21,334
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(68,730	)	$	140,586		$	(382	)	$	71,474
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(34,190	)	$	11,558		$	(3,144	)	$	(25,776	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	60			20,176			(1,872		)	18,364
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			(473		)	(473		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	60			20,176			(2,345		)	17,891
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(34,130	)	$	31,734		$	(5,489	)	$	(7,885	)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
	Details of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amount Reclassified for the Three Months Ended March 31,						Income Statement Line Item
		2015			2014
	Gains and (losses) on derivative contracts
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	352		$	—		Net sales
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	(3,213		)	—			Cost of sales
	Interest rate and cross currency swap contracts	(112		)	(259		)	Interest expense, net
	Cross currency swap contract	(3,346		)	732			Foreign currency loss, net
		(6,319		)	473			Total before tax
		830			—			Tax benefit
		$	(5,489	)	$	473		Total net of tax

17_Segment_Reporting_Tables

17. Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Financial information about our reportable segments during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015									Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Components			Systems			Total			Components			Systems		Total
	Net sales	$	225,617		$	243,592		$	469,209		$	316,858		$	633,300	$	950,158
	Gross profit	$	19,389		$	19,592		$	38,981		$	25,088		$	211,623	$	236,711
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	59,811		$	3,418		$	63,229		$	53,131		$	7,979	$	61,110
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(29,432	)	$	(38,666	)	$	(68,098	)	$	(29,426	)	$	170,258	$	140,832
		31-Mar-15									March 31, 2014
		Components			Systems			Total			Components			Systems		Total
	Goodwill	$	16,152		$	68,833		$	84,985		$	16,152		$	68,833	$	84,985
	Total assets	$	4,132,231		$	2,542,443		$	6,674,674		$	3,931,076		$	2,445,277	$	6,376,353
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services	The following table sets forth the total amounts of solar module and solar power system net sales recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the purposes of the following table, (i) “Solar module revenue” is composed of total revenues from the sale of solar modules to third parties, which does not include any systems segment product or service offerings and (ii) “Solar power system revenue” is composed of total revenues from the sale of our solar power systems and related products and services, including the solar modules installed in such solar power systems along with revenue generated from our PV solar power systems (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Solar module revenue	$	101,133		$	41,001
	Solar power system revenue	368,076			909,157
	Net sales	$	469,209		$	950,158

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	$0	$0

4_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_Market2

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$779,908	$1,482,054	$975,194	$1,325,072
Marketable securities	704,674	509,032
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	1,484,582	1,991,086
Available-for-sale securities, realized gain (loss)	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value	0	41,060
Foreign debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	663,174	462,731
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value	0	41,060
Time deposits [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	40,000	40,000
U.S. debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	2,800
U.S. government obligations [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	1,500	3,501
Cash [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	722,413	1,480,452
Money market funds [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$57,495	$1,602

4_Cash_Cash_Equivalents_Market3

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities (Details) - Available For Sale (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	$705,253,000	$509,766,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	200,000	19,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	779,000	753,000
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	704,674,000	509,032,000
Available-for-sale securities, accumulated unrealized gain (loss)	-600,000	-700,000
Marketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value	421,117,000	391,840,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, accumulated loss	779,000	740,000
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value	0	41,060,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, aggregate loss	0	13,000
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position, estimated fair value	421,117,000	432,900,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss	779,000	753,000
One year or less [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	227,154,000	329,974,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	8,000	14,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	170,000	174,000
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	226,992,000	329,814,000
One year to two years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	254,830,000	125,892,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	65,000	5,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	250,000	380,000
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	254,645,000	125,517,000
Two years to three years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	223,269,000	53,900,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	127,000	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	359,000	199,000
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	223,037,000	53,701,000
Foreign debt [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	663,753,000	463,466,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	200,000	18,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	779,000	753,000
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	663,174,000	462,731,000
Marketable securities, continuous unrealized loss position:
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value	421,117,000	391,840,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, accumulated loss	779,000	740,000
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position for 12 months or greater, estimated fair value	0	41,060,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, aggregate loss	0	13,000
Available-for-sale securities, in loss position, estimated fair value	421,117,000	432,900,000
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss	779,000	753,000
Time deposits [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	40,000,000	40,000,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	40,000,000	40,000,000
U.S. debt [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost		2,800,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains		0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses		0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0	2,800,000
U.S. government obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	1,500,000	3,500,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	0	1,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	$1,500,000	$3,501,000

5_Restricted_Cash_and_Investme2

5. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$51,144	$49,818
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	370,731	357,235
Restricted cash and investments, noncurrent	421,875	407,053
Restricted cash, current	$75,394	$74,695
Solar module collection and recycling custodial account	90 days
Product minimum service life	25 years

5_Restricted_Cash_and_Investme3

5. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) - Available For Sale Securities (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	705,253	509,766
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	200	19
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	779	753
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	370,731	357,235
U.S. government obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	1,500	3,500
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	0	1
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	229,508	247,965
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	141,223	109,270
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	370,731	357,235
Restricted Investments [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	170,352	189,455
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	124,001	93,280
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	294,353	282,735
Restricted Investments [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	59,156	58,510
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	17,222	15,990
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	76,378	74,500
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual Maturities Of Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Range Start	13 years	13 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual Maturities Of Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Range End	22 years	22 years

6_Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_D2

6. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Details)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended											3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 08, 2009	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 07, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	General Electric [Member]	Patents [Member]	Patents [Member]	Developed Technology Rights [Member]	Developed Technology Rights [Member]	Developed Technology Rights [Member]	In Process Research and Development [Member]	In Process Research and Development [Member]	CdTe Components Segment [Member]	CdTe Components Segment [Member]	Crystalline Silicon Components Segment [Member]	Crystalline Silicon Components Segment [Member]	Systems Segment [Member]	Systems Segment [Member]	Systems Segment [Member]	Credit Facility Agreement [Member]	Credit Facility Agreement [Member]	Credit Facility Agreement [Member]	Credit Facility Agreement [Member]	Credit Facility Agreement [Member]	Convertible Loan with Strategic Entity [Member]	Convertible Loan with Strategic Entity [Member]	Convertible Loan with Strategic Entity [Member]	Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	PV solar power systems [Member]	Project Assets And Deferred Project Costs [Member]	Project Assets And Deferred Project Costs [Member]	Land [Member]	Land [Member]	Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Machinery and Equipment [Member]	Machinery and Equipment [Member]	Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements [Member]	Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements [Member]	Construction in Progress [Member]	Construction in Progress [Member]	Stored Machinery and Equipment [Member]	Stored Machinery and Equipment [Member]
					USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	General Electric [Member]	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
									USD ($)
Accounts receivable trade, net:
Accounts receivable trade, gross	$254,247,000		$142,542,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-30,000		-7,108,000
Accounts receivable trade, net	254,217,000		135,434,000
Secured Accounts Receivables	50,800,000		21,400,000
Accounts receivable, unbilled	57,839,000		41,868,000
Retainage	23,748,000		35,103,000
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage	81,587,000		76,971,000
Inventories:
Raw materials	163,379,000		157,468,000
Work in process	23,731,000		20,829,000
Finished goods	425,067,000		442,408,000
Total inventories	612,177,000		620,705,000
Inventories - current	496,599,000		505,088,000
Inventories - noncurrent	115,578,000		115,617,000
Balance of systems parts	119,959,000		125,083,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses	109,075,000		42,193,000
Derivative instruments	3,601,000		9,791,000
Restricted cash	75,394,000		74,695,000
Other current assets	75,214,000		75,991,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	263,284,000		202,670,000
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,556,471,000		2,535,394,000																													12,059,000	12,378,000	385,762,000	381,925,000	1,744,958,000	1,646,841,000	137,623,000	134,268,000	50,052,000	50,096,000	70,553,000	154,497,000	155,464,000	155,389,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	-1,188,028,000		-1,133,090,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,368,443,000		1,402,304,000
Depreciation																											61,600,000	60,800,000	600,000
PV solar power systems, net [Abstract]
PV solar power systems, gross	47,690,000		47,727,000
Accumulated depreciation	-1,967,000		-1,334,000
PV solar power systems, net	45,723,000		46,393,000
Depreciation																											61,600,000	60,800,000	600,000
Interest Costs Incurred [Abstract]
Interest cost incurred	-3,477,000	-2,651,000
Interest costs, capitalized during period																											567,000	578,000		2,716,000	1,663,000
Interest expense, net	-194,000	-410,000
Project Assets - Current and Noncurrent:
Project assets - land	21,015,000		20,170,000
Project assets - development costs including project acquisition costs	492,618,000		359,203,000
Project assets - construction costs	308,544,000		408,402,000
Project assets	822,177,000		787,775,000
Deferred Project Costs [Abstract]
Deferred project costs, current	311,118,000		29,354,000
Deferred project costs, noncurrent	10,977,000		22,573,000
Deferred project costs	322,095,000		51,927,000
Total project assets and deferred project costs	1,144,272,000		839,702,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Note receivable (1)	11,080,000		12,096,000																7,600,000	7,000,000	8,500,000	7,000,000		3,500,000	3,500,000
Income taxes receivable	4,264,000		4,850,000
Deferred rent	20,680,000		20,779,000
Other	23,841,000		23,830,000
Other assets	59,865,000		61,555,000
Notes Receivable Initial Available Amount																							17,500,000			5,000,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate																							8.00%			8.00%
Goodwill
Goodwill	84,985,000	84,985,000	84,985,000									403,420,000	403,420,000	6,097,000	6,097,000	68,833,000	68,833,000	68,833,000
Accumulated impairment loss	-393,365,000		-393,365,000
Goodwill from acquisition	0											0		0		0
Goodwill impairment	0
Other intangible assets, net
Intangible assets, gross	121,000,000		120,904,000		5,747,000	5,347,000	76,153,000	2,757,000	73,700,000	39,100,000	112,800,000
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	-2,636,000		-1,668,000		-1,409,000	-1,208,000	-1,227,000	-460,000		0	0
Intangible assets, net	118,364,000		119,236,000		4,338,000	4,139,000	74,926,000	2,297,000		39,100,000	112,800,000
Amortization of intangible assets	1,000,000	300,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life				10 years
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and benefits	26,966,000		43,072,000
Accrued property, plant, and equipment	23,068,000		30,723,000
Accrued inventory	70,476,000		36,233,000
Accrued project assets and deferred project costs	161,260,000		113,012,000
Product warranty liability	70,031,000		69,656,000
Accrued expenses in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses	8,785,000		7,800,000
Other	76,327,000		87,660,000
Accrued expenses	436,913,000		388,156,000
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings	171,331,000		195,346,000
Payments and billings for deferred project costs	71,639,000		60,591,000
Other current liabilities
Deferred revenue	25,194,000		21,879,000
Derivative instruments	7,590,000		7,657,000
Contingent consideration (1)	12,698,000		36,817,000
Other	11,781,000		22,349,000
Other current liabilities	57,263,000		88,702,000
Other liabilities:
Product warranty liability	150,374,000		153,401,000
Other taxes payable	34,477,000		46,555,000
Contingent consideration (1)	17,151,000		17,077,000
Liability in excess of normal product warranty liability and related expenses (1)	16,370,000		23,139,000
Other	47,749,000		44,374,000
Other liabilities	$266,121,000		$284,546,000

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum2

7. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	($3,601)	($9,791)
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	7,590	7,657
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	10,921	9,041
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	810	1,213
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	4,482	3,160
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	10,921	9,041
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	2,791	8,578
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	3,108	4,497
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	810	1,213
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	-810	-1,213
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	810	1,213
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	2,791	8,578
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	3,108	4,497
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	15,285	11,991
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	15,285	11,991
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	4,364	2,996
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	10,921	8,995
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	118	210
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	118	210
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	118	164
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$0	$46

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum3

7. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Hedging Relationship (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$3,012,000	($2,172,000)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	-8,686,000	-3,334,000
Net sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	-352,000
Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	3,213,000
Foreign currency gain (loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	3,346,000	-732,000
Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	112,000	259,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	810,000		1,213,000
Gross derivative liability (asset) offset in statement of financial position	0		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	-810,000		-1,213,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	0		0
Potential net amount of derivative asset (liability)	810,000		1,213,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	15,285,000		11,991,000
Gross derivative liability (asset) offset in statement of financial position	0		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	15,285,000		11,991,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	0		0
Potential net amount of derivative asset (liability)	-15,285,000		-11,991,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	118,000		210,000
Gross derivative liability (asset) offset in statement of financial position	0		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	118,000		210,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	0		0
Potential net amount of derivative asset (liability)	-118,000		-210,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Net sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	14,516,000	503,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	-8,317,000	-669,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6,621,000	4,351,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	-5,370,000	-4,878,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Net sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	-352,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	3,213,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net	0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	300,000	300,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,399,000	-5,820,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	-3,345,000	1,552,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Net sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	3,346,000	-732,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	49,000	95,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-210,000	-703,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	29,000	-8,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Net sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$63,000	$164,000

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum4

7. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Risk Management

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

29-May-09

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]

Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cross-currency swap contract [Member]

Cross-currency swap contract [Member]

Cross-currency swap contract [Member]

Cross-currency swap contract [Member]

Cross-currency swap contract [Member]

Interest rate swap contract [Member]

Interest rate swap contract [Member]

Interest rate swap contract [Member]

Interest rate swap contract [Member]

Interest rate swap contract [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

USD ($)

MYR

USD ($)

MYR

MYR

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

$73,100,000

271,300,000

$88,600,000

310,100,000

465,000,000

$6,200,000

€ 5,700,000

$12,500,000

€ 10,300,000

€ 57,300,000

$8,600,000

11,300,000

$31,500,000

38,400,000

$8,000,000

¥ 961,900,000

$10,300,000

¥ 1,223,200,000

Derivative fixed interest rate paid on swap

3.50%

2.80%

Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate

3.19

Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss)

0

0

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net

-4,500,000

Maximum length of time hedged in foreign currency cash flow hedge

3 months

6 months

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments

4,100,000

6,600,000

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months

$4,100,000

7_Derivative_Financial_Instrum5

7. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Transaction Exposure (Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member])

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Australia, Dollars

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Malaysia, Ringgits

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

Japan, Yen

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

United Kingdom, Pounds

China, Yuan Renminbi

China, Yuan Renminbi

China, Yuan Renminbi

China, Yuan Renminbi

China, Yuan Renminbi

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Purchase [Member]

Sell [Member]

Sell [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

MYR

USD ($)

MYR

USD ($)

MYR

USD ($)

MYR

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

Derivative [Line Items]

Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments

($0.30)

$4.10

Derivative, Currency Bought

Euro

Euro

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Canadian dollar

Japanese yen

Japanese yen

British pound

British pound

Chinese yuan

Derivative, Currency Sold

Euro

Euro

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Canadian dollar

Canadian dollar

Japanese yen

Japanese yen

British pound

British pound

Chinese yuan

Derivative, Notional Amount

$81.40

€ 75.20

$110.90

€ 91.10

$152.90

€ 141.20

$112.50

€ 92.40

$38.90

50.8

$21.30

26

$71.90

93.9

$96.70

118

$24.90

92.5

$41.70

146

$15.80

58.5

$26.70

93.6

$0.60

0.7

$5.60

7.1

$0

8.3

$1.90

¥ 223.9

$0

¥ 244.6

$18.60

¥ 2,234.6

$19.50

¥ 2,322.1

$4.40

£ 3

$2.20

£ 1.4

$53.80

£ 36.4

$58.60

£ 37.7

$17.70

109.7

$0.90

5.5

8_Fair_Value_Measurements_Deta

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	$704,674	$509,032
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	40,000	40,000
U.S. government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	1,500	3,501
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Derivative assets	3,601	9,791
Total assets	1,136,501	877,660
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	18,511	16,698
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	663,174	462,731
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	40,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value		2,800
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	1,500	3,501
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Total assets	97,495	41,602
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	40,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Derivative assets	3,601	9,791
Total assets	1,039,006	836,058
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	18,511	16,698
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	663,174	462,731
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value		2,800
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	1,500	3,501
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. debt
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	0	0
Money market funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	57,495	1,602
Money market funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	57,495	1,602
Money market funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	0	0
Money market funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds	$0	$0

8_Fair_Value_Measurements_Deta1

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Balance Sheet Grouping (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Marketable securities	$704,674	$509,032
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Notes receivable - noncurrent	11,080	12,096
Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	9,127	9,127
Restricted Investments [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Marketable securities	704,674	509,032
Foreign exchange forward contract assets	3,601	9,791
Notes receivable - noncurrent	11,080	12,096
Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	9,127	9,127
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	242,509	216,921
Foreign exchange forward contract liabilities	3,108	4,497
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Restricted Investments [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Marketable securities	704,674	509,032
Foreign exchange forward contract assets	3,601	9,791
Notes receivable - noncurrent	11,075	12,189
Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	10,214	9,812
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	252,790	224,489
Foreign exchange forward contract liabilities	3,108	4,497
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Restricted Investments [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Restricted investments (excluding restricted cash)	370,731	357,235
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Interest rate derivative contract liabilities	118	210
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Interest rate derivative contract liabilities	118	210
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Interest rate derivative contract liabilities	15,285	11,991
Cross-currency swap contract [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Interest rate derivative contract liabilities	$15,285	$11,991

9_Investments_in_Unconsolidate2

9. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Joint Ventures (Details)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

SG2 Holdings, LLC [Member]

SG2 Holdings, LLC [Member]

SG2 Holdings, LLC [Member]

Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]

Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]

Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]

Clean Energy Collective, LLC Warrant [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]

Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]

Unconsolidated JV [Member]

Schedule of Equity and Cost Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity method investments

$250,649,000

$249,614,000

$222,000,000

$219,900,000

$18,100,000

$19,500,000

Cost method investments

6,672,000

5,415,000

1,800,000

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates and joint ventures

257,321,000

255,029,000

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Sold

51.00%

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

49.00%

28.00%

50.00%

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax

-174,000

28,000

500,000

-800,000

Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Borrowing Capacity

15,000,000

Note Receivable Interest Rate

7.00%

16.00%

8.00%

Notes receivable, affiliate

44,210,000

12,487,000

44,200,000

29,900,000

12,500,000

8,000,000

Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity

19,200,000

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage by Third Party

50.00%

Note receivable, affiliate - noncurrent

$9,127,000

$9,127,000

$9,100,000

$9,100,000

10_PercentageofCompletion_Chan2

10. Percentage-of-Completion Changes in Estimates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Estimates for Systems Business [Abstract]
Project Change in Estimate Disclosure Threshold	$1,000,000
Number of projects	6	8
Increases (decreases) in gross profit resulting from net changes in estimates (in thousands)	$22,966,000	($9,690,000)
Net change in estimates as percentage of aggregate gross profit for associated projects	1.90%	-0.40%

11_Debt_Details

11. Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$250,630,000	$225,512,000
Less unamortized discount	-8,121,000	-8,591,000
Total long-term debt	242,509,000	216,921,000
Less current portion	-42,123,000	-51,918,000
Noncurrent portion	200,386,000	165,003,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Remainder of Fiscal Year	26,668,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	34,603,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	50,659,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	28,169,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	3,625,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	105,470,000
Total long-term debt future principal payments	249,194,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	July 2018 (Tranche A) October 2015 (Tranche B)
Debt Instrument, Currency	USD
Revolving Credit Facility	0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	600,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	750,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	390,100,000	397,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.38%
Fronting fee	0.13%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at (i) LIBOR (adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements) plus a margin of 2.25% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.25%, depending on the type of borrowing requested
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Tranche A [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	450,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Tranche B [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	209,900,000	202,500,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	Various
Debt Instrument, Currency	Various
Long-term debt, gross	133,115,000	75,418,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	290,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis	Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | LDN OPIC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	84,700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	230,000,000
Line of Credit, Committed Amount	178,000,000
Line of Credit, Uncommitted Amount	52,000,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | LDN IFC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	28,600,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	60,000,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | LDN VAT Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	19,900,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	65,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.30%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	VAT loans at bank rate plus 1.30%
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | LDN OPIC Loan and IFC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	192,000,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] | LDN OPIC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit, Committed Amount	133,300,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] | LDN IFC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit, Committed Amount	44,900,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan [Member] | LDN OPIC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit, Committed Amount	44,700,000
Project Construction Credit Facilities [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan [Member] | LDN IFC Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit, Committed Amount	15,100,000
Malaysian Ringgit Facility Agreement [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	Sep-18
Debt Instrument, Currency	MYR
Long-term debt, gross	73,117,000	88,606,000
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	252,600,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	KLIBOR plus 2.00% (2)
Malaysian Euro Facility Agreement [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	Apr-18
Debt Instrument, Currency	EUR
Long-term debt, gross	30,348,000	34,112,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	EURIBOR plus 1.00%
Malaysian Facility Agreement [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	Mar-16
Debt Instrument, Currency	EUR
Long-term debt, gross	12,614,000	25,818,000
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount	14,800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.54%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.55%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Floating rate facility at EURIBOR plus 0.55% (2)
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	Various
Debt Instrument, Currency	Various
Long-term debt, gross	$1,436,000	$1,558,000

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci2

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Commercial Commitments (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit	$6.10
Letters of credit issued under a bi-lateral facility secured by cash	71.1
Surety Bonds	170.6
Surety Bond Capacity	622.4
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	600
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	390.1	397.5
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$209.90	$202.50

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci3

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Product Warranties (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$223,057,000	$198,041,000
Accruals for new warranties issued	6,740,000	11,269,000
Settlements	-2,749,000	-4,079,000
Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	-6,643,000	3,063,000
Product warranty liability, end of period	220,405,000	208,294,000
Current portion of warranty liability	70,031,000	68,266,000
Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	150,374,000	140,028,000
Estimated Rate of Return for Module Warranty	3.00%
percentage point change in estimated rate of return of module warranty	1.00%
Estimated Change in Module Warranty from Sensitivity Analysis	$66,200,000
Percentage Point Change in Estimated Rate of Return of Balance of Systems Warranty	1.00%

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci4

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Accrued Expenses in Excess of Product Warranty (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Product Warranty Accrual in Excess of Normal Product Warranty Liability	$25,200,000	$30,900,000
Product Warranty Accrual in Excess of Normal Product Warranty Liability	8,785,000	7,800,000
Product Warranty Accrual in Excess of Normal Product Warranty Noncurrent Liability	$16,370,000	$23,139,000

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci5

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Performance Guarantees (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Estimated Test Guarantees Liability	1	$4.30
Estimated Test Guarantees Liability Current	1	$4.30
Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Availability Guarantee Period	5 years

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci6

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Contingent Consideration (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Project Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Liability, Current	$7.70	$31.90
Project Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Liability, Noncurrent	2.4	2.4
TetraSun and Solar Chile [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Liability, Current	5	4.9
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Liability, Noncurrent	$14.80	$14.70

12_Commitments_and_Contingenci7

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	$236,155,000	$246,307,000
Percentage increase in annualized inflation rate	1.00%
Estimated Increase in Solar Module Collection Recycling Liability from Sensitivity Analysis	58,500,000
Percentage decrease in annualized inflation rate	1.00%
Estimated Decrease in Solar Module Collection Recycling Liability from Sensitivity Analysis	$47,900,000
Percent of modules sold which are subject to EOL	7.00%	56.00%

13_ShareBased_Compensation_Det

13. Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$12,079,000	$13,298,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Gross	11,598,000	13,100,000
Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory	481,000	198,000
Employee service share-based compensation, capitalized in inventory	4,800,000		5,300,000
Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Forfeiture Rate	9.50%	9.50%
Restricted and performance stock units [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	10,952,000	12,520,000
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized	56,800,000
Employee service share-based compensation, unrecognized compensation costs on nonvested awards, weighted average period of recognition (in years)	1 year 5 months
Unrestricted stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	331,000	331,000
Stock purchase plan [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	315,000	249,000
Cost of sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	3,404,000	5,310,000
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	1,169,000	1,252,000
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	7,494,000	6,736,000
Production start-up [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$12,000	$0

14_Income_Taxes_Details

14. Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	-8.80%	20.50%
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate	35.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$13.40
Potential Tax Benefit from Private Letter Ruling	42
Income Tax Examination, Settlement with Taxing Authority	$2.50

15_Net_Income_Per_Share_Detail

15. Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net (loss) income	($62,292)	$112,007
Denominator, basic:
Weighted-average common stock outstanding	100,375	99,591
Net income per share, basic	($0.62)	$1.12
Denominator, diluted:
Weighted-average common stock outstanding	100,375	99,591
Effect of stock options, restricted and performance stock units, and stock purchase plan shares	0	2,231
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share	100,375	101,822
Net income per share, diluted	($0.62)	$1.10
Anti-dilutive shares	1,413	164

16_Comprehensive_Loss_Income_a2

16. Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net (loss) income	($62,292)	$112,007
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-15,393	60
Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments for the period, net of tax	38,287	20,176
Less: reclassification for (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax	0	0
Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments	38,287	20,176
Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments for the period, net of tax	-7,049	-1,872
Less: reclassification for losses (gains) included in net income (loss), net of tax	5,489	-473
Unrealized (loss) on derivative instruments	-1,560	-2,345
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,334	17,891
Comprehensive (loss) income	-40,958	129,898
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	71,474	-7,885	50,140	-25,776
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	15,845	18,364
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	5,489	-473
Net sales	469,209	950,158
Cost of sales	430,228	713,447
Interest expense, net	194	410
Foreign currency loss, net	-1,596	-579
Total before tax	-68,098	140,832
Tax benefit	-5,980	28,853
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	2,057	1,662
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	-1,637	-1,463
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Tax	-830	0
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-15,393	60
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-68,730	-34,130	-53,337	-34,190
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-15,393	60
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	38,287	20,176
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	140,586	31,734	102,299	11,558
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	38,287	20,176
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-1,560	-2,345
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-382	-5,489	1,178	-3,144
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-7,049	-1,872
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	5,489	-473
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net (loss) income	-5,489	473
Net sales	352	0
Cost of sales	-3,213	0
Interest expense, net	-112	-259
Foreign currency loss, net	-3,346	732
Total before tax	-6,319	473
Tax benefit	$830	$0

17_Segment_Reporting_Details

17. Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	2
Net sales	$469,209	$950,158
Gross profit	38,981	236,711
Depreciation and amortization expense	63,229	61,110
(Loss) income before income taxes	-68,098	140,832
Goodwill	84,985	84,985	84,985
Total assets	6,674,674	6,376,353	6,724,439
Solar module revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	101,133	41,001
Solar power system revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	368,076	909,157
Components Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	225,617	316,858
Gross profit	19,389	25,088
Depreciation and amortization expense	59,811	53,131
(Loss) income before income taxes	-29,432	-29,426
Goodwill	16,152	16,152
Total assets	4,132,231	3,931,076
Systems Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	243,592	633,300
Gross profit	19,592	211,623
Depreciation and amortization expense	3,418	7,979
(Loss) income before income taxes	-38,666	170,258
Goodwill	68,833	68,833	68,833
Total assets	$2,542,443	$2,445,277

Uncategorized_Items

Uncategorized Items	3/31/14				3/31/15
	USD ($)				USD ($)
[fslr_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectBeforeTaxes]	-5,979,000	-4,905,000	-527,000	-547,000	645,000	-3,349,000	4,112,000	-118,000