First Solar (FSLR) 10-Q 25 Oct 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document

Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 18, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33156
Entity Registrant Name	First Solar, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-4623678
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Tempe
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85281
City Area Code	602
Local Phone Number	414-9300
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	FSLR
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		105,406,846
Entity Central Index Key	0001274494
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Net sales	$ 546,806	$ 676,220	$ 1,663,740	$ 1,552,803
Cost of sales	408,443	547,093	1,448,083	1,258,936
Gross profit	138,363	129,127	215,657	293,867
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	53,542	33,539	149,828	125,519
Research and development	24,912	22,390	71,184	63,084
Production start-up	18,605	14,723	38,564	76,159
Total operating expenses	97,059	70,652	259,576	264,762
Operating income (loss)	41,304	58,475	(43,919)	29,105
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	1,209	(2,383)	3,107	(2,478)
Interest income	11,454	16,456	39,223	45,145
Interest expense, net	(4,976)	(3,198)	(24,018)	(14,445)
Other (loss) income, net	(3,399)	(5,971)	(4,328)	7,635
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings	45,592	63,379	(29,935)	64,962
Income tax expense	(15,035)	(2,396)	(25,385)	(7,857)
Equity in earnings, net of tax	65	(3,233)	(205)	35,105
Net income (loss)	$ 30,622	$ 57,750	$ (55,525)	$ 92,210
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.55	$ (0.53)	$ 0.88
Diluted	$ 0.29	$ 0.54	$ (0.53)	$ 0.87
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic	105,397	104,804	105,272	104,711
Diluted	106,227	106,163	105,272	106,211

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Net income (loss)	$ 30,622	$ 57,750	$ (55,525)	$ 92,210
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,570)	1,793	(6,245)	(7,252)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities and restricted investments, net of tax of $(376), $273, $184, and $3,424	13,258	(6,688)	21,816	(32,106)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax of $98, $(22), $429, and $(1,000)	714	(39)	(623)	1,928
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,402	(4,934)	14,948	(37,430)
Comprehensive income (loss)	38,024	52,816	(40,577)	54,780
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities and restricted investments, tax	(376)	273	184	3,424
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, tax	$ 98	$ (22)	$ 429	$ (1,000)

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 878,999	$ 1,403,562
Marketable securities	661,552	1,143,704
Accounts receivable trade, net	367,306	128,282
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage	165,013	458,166
Inventories	576,770	387,912
Balance of systems parts	68,858	56,906
Project assets	5,557	37,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	319,435	243,061
Total current assets	3,043,490	3,859,523
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,106,968	1,756,211
PV solar power systems, net	484,593	308,640
Project assets	566,517	460,499
Deferred tax assets, net	66,114	77,682
Restricted cash and investments	305,469	318,390
Goodwill	14,462	14,462
Intangibles assets, net	66,785	74,162
Inventories	152,574	130,083
Notes receivable, affiliate	0	22,832
Other assets	247,715	98,878
Total assets	7,054,687	7,121,362
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	218,088	233,287
Income taxes payable	15,409	20,885
Accrued expenses	377,364	441,580
Current portion of long-term debt	28,240	5,570
Deferred revenue	93,283	129,755
Other current liabilities	28,422	14,380
Total current liabilities	760,806	845,457
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	134,985	134,442
Long-term debt	452,064	461,221
Other liabilities	524,349	467,839
Total liabilities	1,872,204	1,908,959
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 105,406,367 and 104,885,261 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	105	105
Additional paid-in capital	2,835,868	2,825,211
Accumulated earnings	2,386,028	2,441,553
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(39,518)	(54,466)
Total stockholders' equity	5,182,483	5,212,403
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 7,054,687	$ 7,121,362

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	105,406,367	104,885,261
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	105,406,367	104,885,261

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (55,525)	$ 92,210
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	149,970	89,192
Share-based compensation	25,408	26,787
Equity in earnings, net of tax	205	(35,105)
Distributions received from equity method investments	0	12,394
Remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities	2,097	6,837
Deferred income taxes	11,678	(55,732)
Gains on sales of marketable securities and restricted investments	(15,016)	(19,473)
Liabilities assumed by customers for the sale of systems	(88,050)	(116,456)
Other, net	7,080	7,271
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade, unbilled and retainage	51,803	(178,723)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(29,311)	(34,321)
Inventories and balance of systems parts	(223,756)	(158,311)
Project assets and PV solar power systems	(253,260)	50,294
Other assets	18,326	(12,694)
Income tax receivable and payable	(24,585)	6,302
Accounts payable	(532)	28,591
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(185,489)	181,328
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	1,465	(31,701)
Net cash used in operating activities	(607,492)	(141,310)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(510,571)	(610,620)
Purchases of marketable securities and restricted investments	(668,052)	(1,102,440)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities and restricted investments	1,120,961	627,106
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	0	247,595
Payments received on notes receivable, affiliates	0	48,459
Other investing activities	3,027	(5,823)
Net cash used in investing activities	(54,635)	(795,723)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(10,583)	(18,937)
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt, net of discounts and issuance costs	107,396	174,594
Payments of tax withholdings for restricted shares	(16,070)	(10,516)
Other financing activities	999	(1,958)
Net cash provided by financing activities	81,742	143,183
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(6,732)	(12,454)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(587,117)	(806,304)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of the period	1,562,623	2,330,476
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of the period	975,506	1,524,172
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities	111,791	144,928
Sale of system previously accounted for as sale-leaseback financing	$ 0	$ 31,992

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		104,468,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 5,098,697	$ 104	$ 2,799,107	$ 2,297,227	$ 2,259
Net income (loss)	92,210			92,210
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(37,430)				(37,430)
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		501,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	1,710	$ 1	1,709
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(155,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(10,516)	$ 0	(10,516)
Share-based compensation expense	26,285		26,285
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018		104,814,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	5,170,956	$ 105	2,816,585	2,389,437	(35,171)
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018		104,798,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018	5,110,827	$ 105	2,809,272	2,331,687	(30,237)
Net income (loss)	57,750			57,750
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,934)				(4,934)
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		21,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	0	$ 0	0
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(5,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(265)	$ 0	(265)
Share-based compensation expense	7,578		7,578
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018		104,814,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 5,170,956	$ 105	2,816,585	2,389,437	(35,171)
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	104,885,261	104,885,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 5,212,403	$ 105	2,825,211	2,441,553	(54,466)
Net income (loss)	(55,525)			(55,525)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14,948				14,948
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		826,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	1,673	$ 1	1,672
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(305,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(16,071)	$ (1)	(16,070)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 25,055		25,055
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	105,406,367	105,406,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 5,182,483	$ 105	2,835,868	2,386,028	(39,518)
Common stock, shares, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019		105,390,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019	5,135,124	$ 105	2,826,533	2,355,406	(46,920)
Net income (loss)	30,622			30,622
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,402				7,402
Common stock issued for share-based compensation, shares		21,000
Common stock issued for share-based compensation	0	$ 0	0
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock, shares		(5,000)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock	(339)	$ 0	(339)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 9,674		9,674
Common stock, shares, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	105,406,367	105,406,000
Stockholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 5,182,483	$ 105	$ 2,835,868	$ 2,386,028	$ (39,518)

1. Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 in this Quarterly Report have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 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 First Solar management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. 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 the financial statements and accompanying notes. Despite our intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from such estimates and assumptions. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019 or for any other period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018 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, 2018 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the SEC. Unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “First Solar” refer to First Solar, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the term “condensed consolidated financial statements” refers to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncem

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities , to simplify certain aspects of hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risks and better align the recognition and measurement of hedge results with an entity’s risk management activities. ASU 2017-12 also amends certain presentation and disclosure requirements for hedging activities and changes how an entity assesses hedge effectiveness. The adoption of ASU 2017-12 in the first quarter of 2019 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) , to provide financial statement users with more useful information about expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 also changes how entities measure credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months and disclosing key information about leasing transactions. Leases are classified as either operating or financing, with such classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements , which provided an optional transition method to apply the new lease requirements through a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption. We adopted ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019 using the optional transition method and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which, among other things, allowed us to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases or lease classification. The adoption primarily affected our condensed consolidated balance sheet through the recognition of $140.7 million of right-of-use assets and $119.9 million of lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019 and the derecognition of historical prepaid and deferred rent balances. The adoption did not have a significant impact on our results of operations or cash flows. See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and the associated disclosures.

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 871,711 $ 1,202,774 Money market funds 7,288 200,788 Total cash and cash equivalents 878,999 1,403,562 Marketable securities: Foreign debt 361,414 318,646 Foreign government obligations 21,988 98,621 U.S. debt 90,388 44,468 Time deposits 187,762 681,969 Total marketable securities 661,552 1,143,704 Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 1,540,551 $ 2,547,266 The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 to the total of such amounts as presented in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Line Item September 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents $ 878,999 $ 1,403,562 Restricted cash – current (1) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 32,416 19,671 Restricted cash – noncurrent (1) Restricted cash and investments 64,091 139,390 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 975,506 $ 1,562,623 —————————— (1) See Note 4. “Restricted Cash and Investments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Restricted cash” arrangements. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , we sold marketable securities for proceeds of $32.0 million and $52.0 million , respectively, and realized no gain or loss on the sales. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we sold marketable securities for proceeds of $10.8 million and realized gains of less than $0.1 million on the sales. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our marketable securities. The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign debt $ 360,923 $ 1,090 $ 599 $ 361,414 Foreign government obligations 21,988 — — 21,988 U.S. debt 90,250 171 33 90,388 Time deposits 187,762 — — 187,762 Total $ 660,923 $ 1,261 $ 632 $ 661,552 As of December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign debt $ 320,056 $ 468 $ 1,878 $ 318,646 Foreign government obligations 99,189 — 568 98,621 U.S. debt 44,625 53 210 44,468 Time deposits 681,969 — — 681,969 Total $ 1,145,839 $ 521 $ 2,656 $ 1,143,704 As of September 30, 2019 , we identified three investments totaling $38.5 million that had been in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months with unrealized losses of less than $0.1 million . As of December 31, 2018 , we identified 15 investments totaling $207.2 million that had been in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months with unrealized losses of $1.8 million . Such unrealized losses were primarily due to increases 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. The following tables show unrealized losses and fair values for those marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , aggregated by major security type and the length of time the marketable securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 In Loss Position for Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position for 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Foreign debt $ 133,345 $ 541 $ 24,196 $ 58 $ 157,541 $ 599 U.S. debt 25,797 29 14,270 4 40,067 33 Total $ 159,142 $ 570 $ 38,466 $ 62 $ 197,608 $ 632 As of December 31, 2018 In Loss Position for Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position for 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Foreign debt $ 150,842 $ 802 $ 94,446 $ 1,076 $ 245,288 $ 1,878 Foreign government obligations — — 98,621 568 98,621 568 U.S. debt 15,356 32 14,085 178 29,441 210 Total $ 166,198 $ 834 $ 207,152 $ 1,822 $ 373,350 $ 2,656 The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of September 30, 2019 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value One year or less $ 346,453 One year to two years 182,861 Two years to three years 102,224 Three years to four years 30,014 Total $ 661,552

4. Restricted Cash and Investme

4. Restricted Cash and Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Investments	4. Restricted Cash and Investments Restricted cash and investments consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Restricted cash $ 64,091 $ 139,390 Restricted investments 241,378 179,000 Total restricted cash and investments (1) $ 305,469 $ 318,390 —————————— (1) There was an additional $32.4 million and $19.7 million of restricted cash included within “ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ” at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our restricted cash consisted of deposits held by various banks to secure certain of our letters of credit and other deposits designated for the construction or operation of systems projects as well as the payment of amounts related to project specific debt financings. At December 31, 2018 , our restricted cash also included certain deposits held in custodial accounts to fund the estimated future costs of our solar module collection and recycling obligations. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our restricted investments consisted of long-term marketable securities that were also held in custodial accounts to fund the estimated future costs of collecting and recycling modules covered under our solar module collection and recycling program. As necessary, we fund any incremental amounts for our estimated collection and recycling obligations on an annual basis based on the 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 amounts previously funded will be available in the future regardless of potential adverse changes in our financial condition (even in the case of our own insolvency), we have established a trust under which estimated funds are put into custodial accounts with an established and reputable bank, for which First Solar, Inc.; First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; and First Solar Manufacturing GmbH are grantors. Trust funds may be disbursed for qualified module collection and recycling costs (including capital and facility related recycling costs), payments to customers for assuming collection and recycling obligations, and reimbursements of any overfunded amounts. Investments in the trust must meet certain investment quality criteria comparable to highly rated government or agency bonds. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , we sold certain restricted investments for proceeds of $47.9 million and realized gains of $15.0 million on such sales as part of efforts to align the currencies of the investments with those of the corresponding collection and recycling liabilities and disburse $14.9 million of overfunded amounts. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we sold certain restricted investments for proceeds of $101.6 million , realized gains of $19.5 million on such sales, and withdrew the funds from the trust as a reimbursement of overfunded amounts. See Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for information about the fair value of our restricted investments. The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted investments, by major security type, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign government obligations $ 116,424 $ 17,552 $ — $ 133,976 U.S. government obligations 98,414 8,988 — 107,402 Total $ 214,838 $ 26,540 $ — $ 241,378 As of December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign government obligations $ 73,798 $ 14,234 $ 235 $ 87,797 U.S. government obligations 97,223 416 6,436 91,203 Total $ 171,021 $ 14,650 $ 6,671 $ 179,000 As of September 30, 2019 , we had no restricted investments in a loss position. As of December 31, 2018 , we identified six restricted investments totaling $87.4 million that had been in a loss position for a period of time greater than 12 months with unrealized losses of $6.4 million . Such unrealized losses were primarily due to increases in interest rates relative to rates at the time of purchase. The following table shows unrealized losses and fair values for those restricted investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 , aggregated by major security type and the length of time the restricted investments have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 In Loss Position for In Loss Position for Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Foreign government obligations $ 41,335 $ 235 $ — $ — $ 41,335 $ 235 U.S. government obligations — — 87,401 6,436 87,401 6,436 Total $ 41,335 $ 235 $ 87,401 $ 6,436 $ 128,736 $ 6,671 As of September 30, 2019 , the contractual maturities of our restricted investments were between 10 years and 20 years .

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet D

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Consolidated Balance Sheet Details	5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details Accounts receivable trade, net Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accounts receivable trade, gross $ 369,295 $ 129,644 Allowance for doubtful accounts (1,989 ) (1,362 ) Accounts receivable trade, net $ 367,306 $ 128,282 At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $63.2 million and $8.5 million , respectively, of our accounts receivable trade, net were secured by letters of credit, bank guarantees, surety bonds, 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accounts receivable, unbilled $ 136,734 $ 441,666 Retainage 28,279 16,500 Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage $ 165,013 $ 458,166 Inventories Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Raw materials $ 241,305 $ 224,329 Work in process 51,926 41,294 Finished goods 436,113 252,372 Inventories $ 729,344 $ 517,995 Inventories – current $ 576,770 $ 387,912 Inventories – noncurrent $ 152,574 $ 130,083 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Prepaid expenses $ 128,776 $ 90,981 Prepaid income taxes 76,613 59,319 Restricted cash 32,416 19,671 Indirect tax receivables 28,238 26,327 Notes receivable (1) 23,440 5,196 Derivative instruments (2) 2,299 2,364 Other current assets 27,653 39,203 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 319,435 $ 243,061 —————————— (1) In November 2014 and February 2016, we entered into a term loan agreement and a convertible loan agreement, respectively, with Clean Energy Collective, LLC (“CEC”). Our term loan bears interest at 16% per annum, and our convertible loan bears interest at 10% per annum. In November 2018, we amended the terms of the loan agreements to (i) extend their maturity to June 2020, (ii) waive the conversion features on our convertible loan, and (iii) increase the frequency of interest payments, subject to certain conditions. In January 2019, CEC finalized certain restructuring arrangements, which resulted in a dilution of our ownership interest in CEC and the loss of our representation on the company’s board of managers. As a result of such restructuring, CEC no longer qualified to be accounted for under the equity method. As of September 30, 2019 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was $23.1 million and was presented within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.” As of December 31, 2018 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was $22.8 million and was presented within “Notes receivable, affiliate.” (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Land $ 14,176 $ 14,382 Buildings and improvements 658,510 567,605 Machinery and equipment 2,166,391 1,826,434 Office equipment and furniture 186,852 178,011 Leasehold improvements 49,018 49,055 Construction in progress 406,056 405,581 Property, plant and equipment, gross 3,481,003 3,041,068 Accumulated depreciation (1,374,035 ) (1,284,857 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,106,968 $ 1,756,211 We periodically assess the estimated useful lives of our property, plant and equipment whenever applicable facts and circumstances indicate a change in the estimated useful life of an asset may have occurred. During the three months ended September 30, 2019 , we revised the estimated useful lives of certain core Series 6 manufacturing equipment from 10 years to 15 years . Such revision was primarily due to the validation of certain aspects of our Series 6 module technology, including the nature of the manufacturing process, the operating and maintenance cost profile of the manufacturing equipment, and the technology’s compatibility with our long-term module technology roadmap. We expect the revised useful lives to reduce depreciation by approximately $15 million per year based on the carrying value of the associated equipment as of September 30, 2019 . Depreciation of property, plant and equipment was $42.8 million and $129.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , respectively, and $29.4 million and $72.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. PV solar power systems, net Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar power systems, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, PV solar power systems, gross $ 531,869 $ 343,061 Accumulated depreciation (47,276 ) (34,421 ) PV solar power systems, net $ 484,593 $ 308,640 Depreciation of PV solar power systems was $5.9 million and $12.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , respectively, and $3.5 million and $11.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. Project assets Project assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Project assets – development costs, including project acquisition and land costs $ 297,753 $ 298,070 Project assets – construction costs 274,321 200,359 Project assets $ 572,074 $ 498,429 Project assets – current $ 5,557 $ 37,930 Project assets – noncurrent $ 566,517 $ 460,499 Capitalized interest The cost of constructing project assets may include interest costs incurred during the development and construction period. The components of interest expense and capitalized interest were as follows during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost incurred $ (5,239 ) $ (5,023 ) $ (26,348 ) $ (19,080 ) Interest cost capitalized – project assets 263 1,825 2,330 4,635 Interest expense, net $ (4,976 ) $ (3,198 ) $ (24,018 ) $ (14,445 ) Other assets Other assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Operating lease assets (1) $ 176,785 $ — Indirect tax receivables 9,209 22,487 Note receivable (2) 8,003 8,017 Income taxes receivable 4,103 4,444 Equity method investments (3) 2,917 3,186 Derivative instruments (4) 449 — Deferred rent — 27,249 Other 46,249 33,495 Other assets $ 247,715 $ 98,878 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) In April 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 bears interest at 8.0% per annum, payable quarterly, with the full amount due in December 2026. (3) In June 2015, 8point3 Energy Partners LP (the “Partnership”), a limited partnership formed by First Solar and SunPower Corporation (collectively the “Sponsors”), completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”). As part of the IPO, the Sponsors contributed interests in various projects to 8point3 Operating Company, LLC (“OpCo”) in exchange for voting and economic interests in the entity, and the Partnership acquired an economic interest in OpCo using proceeds from the IPO. In June 2018, we completed the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries to CD Clean Energy and Infrastructure V JV, LLC, an equity fund managed by Capital Dynamics, Inc. and certain other co-investors and other parties, and received net proceeds of $240.0 million after the payment of fees, expenses, and other amounts. We accounted for our interests in OpCo, a subsidiary of the Partnership, under the equity method of accounting as we were able to exercise significant influence over the Partnership due to our representation on the board of directors of its general partner and certain of our associates serving as officers of its general partner. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized equity in earnings, net of tax, of $39.7 million from our investment in OpCo, including a gain of $40.3 million , net of tax, for the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we received distributions from OpCo of $12.4 million . In connection with the IPO, we also entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of the Partnership to lease back one of our originally contributed projects, Maryland Solar, until December 31, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, we make fixed rent payments to the Partnership’s subsidiary and are entitled to all of the energy generated by the project. Due to certain continuing involvement with the project, we accounted for the leaseback agreement as a financing transaction until the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries in June 2018. Following the sale of such interests, the Maryland Solar project qualified for sale-leaseback accounting, and we recognized net revenue of $32.0 million from the sale of the project. (4) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. Goodwill Goodwill for the relevant reporting unit consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): December 31, Acquisitions (Impairments) September 30, Modules $ 407,827 $ — $ 407,827 Accumulated impairment losses (393,365 ) — (393,365 ) Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 Intangible assets, net The following tables summarize our intangible assets at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2019 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 97,964 $ (39,977 ) $ 57,987 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (892 ) 5,594 Patents 7,408 (4,204 ) 3,204 Intangible assets, net $ 111,858 $ (45,073 ) $ 66,785 December 31, 2018 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 97,714 $ (33,093 ) $ 64,621 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (648 ) 5,838 Patents 7,408 (3,705 ) 3,703 Intangible assets, net $ 111,608 $ (37,446 ) $ 74,162 Amortization expense for our intangible assets was $2.6 million and $7.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , respectively, and $2.5 million and $7.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. Accrued expenses Accrued expenses consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accrued project costs $ 85,285 $ 147,162 Accrued property, plant and equipment 77,628 89,905 Accrued compensation and benefits 59,396 41,937 Accrued inventory 50,092 53,075 Product warranty liability (1) 19,526 27,657 Other 85,437 81,844 Accrued expenses $ 377,364 $ 441,580 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product warranty liability.” Other current liabilities Other current liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Operating lease liabilities (1) $ 11,221 $ — Derivative instruments (2) 3,239 7,294 Contingent consideration (3) 350 665 Other 13,612 6,421 Other current liabilities $ 28,422 $ 14,380 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. (3) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Contingent consideration” arrangements. Other liabilities Other liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Product warranty liability (1) $ 118,379 $ 193,035 Operating lease liabilities (2) 142,256 — Other taxes payable 88,786 83,058 Transition tax liability 68,851 77,016 Deferred revenue 40,995 48,014 Derivative instruments (3) 8,706 9,205 Contingent consideration (1) 5,250 2,250 Other liabilities — noncurrent 51,126 55,261 Other liabilities $ 524,349 $ 467,839 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product warranty liability” and “Contingent consideration” arrangements. (2) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (3) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.

6. Derivative Financial Instrum

6. Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	6. 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 financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We use derivative instruments to hedge against these risks and only hold such 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 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 loss ” if the derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting (i.e., “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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2019 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 230 $ 449 $ 180 $ — Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 230 $ 449 $ 180 $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2,069 $ — $ 2,594 $ — Interest rate swap contracts — — 465 8,706 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 2,069 $ — $ 3,059 $ 8,706 Total derivative instruments $ 2,299 $ 449 $ 3,239 $ 8,706 December 31, 2018 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 158 $ — $ — Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 158 $ — $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2,206 $ 7,096 $ — Interest rate swap contracts — 198 9,205 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 2,206 $ 7,294 $ 9,205 Total derivative instruments $ 2,364 $ 7,294 $ 9,205 The following table presents the pretax amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 1,329 Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 153 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Net sales (124 ) Cost of sales (1,081 ) Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 277 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (1,723 ) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (3,884 ) Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Net sales 1,698 Cost of sales 212 Foreign currency gain (loss), net 5,448 Other (loss) income, net (546 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 1,205 We recorded no amounts related to ineffective portions of our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , we recognized unrealized gains of $0.2 million and $0.3 million , respectively, within “ Cost of sales ” for amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for our foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we recognized unrealized gains of $1.0 million and $0.5 million , respectively, within “ Other (loss) income, net ” for amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for our foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges. The following table presents gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Income Statement Line Item 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest rate swap contracts Cost of sales $ — $ — $ (1,656 ) $ — Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency gain (loss), net 3,635 7,098 883 13,477 Interest rate swap contracts Interest expense, net (357 ) 883 (10,089 ) (1,284 ) Interest Rate Risk We primarily use 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , the majority of our interest rate swap contracts related to project specific debt facilities. Such swap contracts did not qualify for accounting as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815 due to our expectation to sell the associated projects before the maturity of their project specific debt financings and corresponding swap contracts. Accordingly, changes in the fair values of these swap contracts were recorded directly to “ Interest expense, net .” In May 2018, FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project financing company, entered into various interest rate swap contracts to hedge the floating rate construction loan facility and a portion of the floating rate term loan facility under the associated project’s Beryl Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9. “Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements). The swaps had an initial aggregate notional value of AUD 42.4 million and, depending on the loan facility being hedged, entitled the project to receive one-month or three-month floating Bank Bill Swap Bid (“BBSY”) interest rates while requiring the project to pay fixed rates of 2.0615% or 3.2020% . The notional amounts of the interest rate swap contracts are scheduled to proportionately adjust with the scheduled draws and principal payments on the underlying hedged debt. In June 2019, we completed the sale of our Beryl project, and its interest rate swap contracts and outstanding loan balance were assumed by the customer. As of December 31, 2018 , the aggregate notional value of the interest rate swap contracts was AUD 103.4 million ( $72.9 million ). In January 2017, FS Japan Project 12 GK, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of the floating rate senior loan facility under the project’s Ishikawa Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 9. “Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements). Such swap had an initial notional value of ¥5.7 billion and entitled the project to receive a six-month floating TIBOR plus 0.75% interest rate while requiring the project to pay a fixed rate of 1.482% . The notional amount of the interest rate swap contract is scheduled to proportionately adjust with the scheduled draws and principal payments on the underlying hedged debt. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the notional value of the interest rate swap contract was ¥19.1 billion ( $176.7 million ) and ¥19.2 billion ( $174.1 million ), respectively. Foreign Currency Risk Cash Flow Exposure We expect certain of our subsidiaries to have future cash flows that will be denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , these foreign exchange forward contracts hedged our forecasted cash flows for periods up to 19 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 report unrealized gains or losses on such contracts in “ Accumulated other comprehensive loss ” and subsequently reclassify applicable 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 as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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): September 30, 2019 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $31.6 $31.6 December 31, 2018 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Australian dollar AUD 8.8 $6.2 —————————— (1) These derivative instruments represent hedges of outstanding payables at certain of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar. In the following 12 months, we expect to reclassify to earnings $0.1 million of net unrealized losses related to forward contracts that are included in “ Accumulated other comprehensive loss ” at September 30, 2019 as we realize the earnings effects 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 of our subsidiaries have assets and liabilities (primarily cash, receivables, marketable securities, deferred taxes, payables, accrued expenses, and solar module collection and recycling liabilities) that are denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. Changes in the exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the other currencies in which these assets and liabilities are denominated will 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 such 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 also enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge balance sheet and other exposures related to transactions between certain of our subsidiaries and transactions with third parties. Such contracts are considered economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, we recognize gains or losses from the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the fair value of these derivative contracts in “ Foreign currency gain (loss), net ” on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. These contracts mature at various dates within the next three months . As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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): September 30, 2019 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 14.2 $9.6 Sell Australian dollar AUD 7.3 $4.9 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 8.5 $2.0 Purchase Canadian dollar CAD 4.5 $3.4 Sell Canadian dollar CAD 1.6 $1.2 Purchase Chilean peso CLP 1,632.3 $2.2 Sell Chilean peso CLP 5,180.1 $7.1 Purchase Euro €138.3 $151.2 Sell Euro €148.8 $162.7 Purchase Indian rupee INR 85.9 $1.2 Sell Indian rupee INR 1,621.4 $23.0 Purchase Japanese yen ¥2,462.8 $22.8 Sell Japanese yen ¥20,906.6 $193.5 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 65.5 $15.6 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 86.0 $20.5 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.8 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 2.9 $2.1 December 31, 2018 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 2.1 $1.5 Sell Australian dollar AUD 52.9 $37.3 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 8.5 $2.2 Sell Canadian dollar CAD 2.9 $2.1 Sell Chilean peso CLP 3,506.6 $5.1 Purchase Euro €115.2 $131.9 Sell Euro €191.8 $219.7 Sell Indian rupee INR 789.2 $11.3 Purchase Japanese yen ¥931.6 $8.4 Sell Japanese yen ¥23,858.8 $216.2 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 34.3 $8.3 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 53.8 $12.9 Sell Mexican peso MXN 37.3 $1.9 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 3.8 $2.8

7. Leases (Notes)

7. Leases (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	7. Leases Our lease arrangements include land associated with our systems projects, our corporate and administrative offices, land for our international manufacturing facilities, and certain of our manufacturing equipment. Such leases primarily relate to assets located in the United States, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Upon commencement of a lease, we recognize a lease liability for the present value of the lease payments not yet paid, discounted using an interest rate that represents our ability to borrow on a collateralized basis over a period that approximates the lease term. We also recognize a lease asset, which represents our right to control the use of the underlying property, plant or equipment, at an amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted for prepayments and initial direct costs. We subsequently recognize the cost of the lease on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and any variable lease costs, which represent amounts owed to the lessor that are not fixed per the terms of the contract, are recognized in the period in which they are incurred. Any costs included in our lease arrangements that are not directly related to the leased assets, such as maintenance charges, are included as part of the lease costs. Leases with an initial term of one year or less are considered short-term leases and are not recognized as lease assets and liabilities. We also recognize the cost of such short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying agreement. Many of our leases, in particular those related to systems project land, contain renewal or termination options that are exercisable at our discretion. At the commencement date of a lease, we include in the lease term any periods covered by a renewal option, and exclude from the lease term any periods covered by a termination option, to the extent we are reasonably certain to exercise such options. In making this determination, we seek to align the lease term with the expected economic life of the underlying asset. The following table presents certain quantitative information related to our lease arrangements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and as of September 30, 2019 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 5,788 $ 16,607 Variable lease cost 904 2,592 Short-term lease cost 1,118 6,818 Total lease cost $ 7,810 $ 26,017 Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 15,995 Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 172,760 September 30, 2019 Operating lease assets $ 176,785 Operating lease liabilities – current 11,221 Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent 142,256 Weighted-average remaining lease term 17 years Weighted-average discount rate 4.5 % As of September 30, 2019 , the future payments associated with our lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Total Lease Liabilities Remainder of 2019 $ 4,534 2020 15,688 2021 15,607 2022 15,124 2023 14,967 Thereafter 156,009 Total future payments 221,929 Less: interest (68,452 ) Total lease liabilities $ 153,477

8. Fair Value Measurements

8. Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	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. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds. We value our 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our marketable securities consisted of foreign debt, foreign government obligations, U.S. 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 standing in these fair value measurements. • Derivative Assets and Liabilities . At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our derivative assets and liabilities consisted of foreign exchange forward contracts involving major currencies and interest rate swap contracts involving major interest rates. Since our derivative assets and liabilities are not traded on an exchange, we value them using standard industry valuation models. As applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the 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 the valuation techniques as Level 2. In evaluating credit risk, we consider the effect of our counterparties’ and our own credit standing in the fair value measurements of our derivative assets and liabilities, respectively. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using September 30, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 7,288 $ 7,288 $ — $ — Marketable securities: Foreign debt 361,414 — 361,414 — Foreign government obligations 21,988 — 21,988 — U.S. debt 90,388 — 90,388 — Time deposits 187,762 187,762 — — Restricted investments 241,378 — 241,378 — Derivative assets 2,748 — 2,748 — Total assets $ 912,966 $ 195,050 $ 717,916 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 11,945 $ — $ 11,945 $ — Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using December 31, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 200,788 $ 200,788 $ — $ — Marketable securities: Foreign debt 318,646 — 318,646 — Foreign government obligations 98,621 — 98,621 — U.S. debt 44,468 — 44,468 — Time deposits 681,969 681,969 — — Restricted investments 179,000 — 179,000 — Derivative assets 2,364 — 2,364 — Total assets $ 1,525,856 $ 882,757 $ 643,099 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 16,499 $ — $ 16,499 $ — Fair Value of Financial Instruments At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments not measured at fair value were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Assets: Notes receivable – current (2) $ 23,440 $ 25,319 $ 5,196 $ 5,196 Note receivable – noncurrent 8,003 9,974 8,017 8,010 Notes receivable, affiliate – noncurrent (2) — — 22,832 24,295 Liabilities: Long-term debt, including current maturities (1) $ 490,859 $ 511,027 $ 479,157 $ 470,124 —————————— (1) Excludes unamortized discounts and issuance costs. (2) In January 2019, CEC no longer qualified to be accounted for under the equity method, and our loans to the company were no longer classified as notes receivable from an affiliate. As of September 30, 2019 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was presented within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.” As of December 31, 2018 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was presented within “Notes receivable, affiliate.” The carrying values in our condensed consolidated balance sheets of our trade accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and retainage, restricted cash, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximated their fair values due to their nature and relatively short maturities; therefore, we excluded them from the foregoing table. The fair value measurements for our notes receivable and long-term debt are considered Level 2 measurements 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, accounts receivable, restricted cash and investments, notes receivable, 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 cash and investments, 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. Our net sales are primarily concentrated among a limited number of customers. We monitor the financial condition of our customers and perform credit evaluations whenever considered necessary. Depending upon the sales arrangement, we may require some form of payment security from our customers, including advance payments, parent guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, or surety bonds. We also have power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) that subject us to credit risk in the event our offtake counterparties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations, which may adversely affect our project assets and certain receivables. Accordingly, we closely monitor the credit standing of existing and potential offtake counterparties to limit such risks.

9. Debt

9. Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt	9. Debt Our long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Balance (USD) Loan Agreement Currency September 30, December 31, Revolving Credit Facility USD $ — $ — Luz del Norte Credit Facilities USD 188,218 188,849 Ishikawa Credit Agreement JPY 236,894 157,834 Japan Credit Facility JPY — — Tochigi Credit Facility JPY 37,572 25,468 Anantapur Credit Facility INR 15,285 16,101 Tungabhadra Credit Facility INR 12,890 13,934 Beryl Credit Facility AUD — 76,971 Long-term debt principal 490,859 479,157 Less: unamortized discounts and issuance costs (10,555 ) (12,366 ) Total long-term debt 480,304 466,791 Less: current portion (28,240 ) (5,570 ) Noncurrent portion $ 452,064 $ 461,221 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 borrowing capacity of $500.0 million , which we may increase to $750.0 million , subject to certain conditions. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements, plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.00% depending on the type of borrowing requested. These margins are also subject to adjustment depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. We had no borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and had issued $52.7 million and $66.0 million , respectively, of letters of credit using availability under the facility. Loans and letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility are jointly and severally guaranteed by First Solar, Inc.; First Solar Electric, LLC; First Solar Electric (California), Inc.; and First Solar Development, LLC and are secured by interests in substantially all of the guarantors’ tangible and intangible assets other than certain excluded assets. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Revolving Credit Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee at a rate of 0.30% per annum, based on the average daily unused commitments under the facility, which may also be adjusted due to changes in our consolidated leverage ratio. We also pay a letter of credit fee based on the applicable margin for Eurocurrency revolving loans on the face amount of each letter of credit and a fronting fee of 0.125% . Our Revolving Credit Facility matures in July 2022. Luz del Norte Credit Facilities In August 2014, Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA (“Luz del Norte”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into credit facilities (the “Luz del Norte Credit Facilities”) with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”) and the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) to provide limited-recourse senior secured debt financing for the design, development, financing, construction, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a 141 MW AC PV solar power plant located near Copiapó, Chile. In March 2017, we amended the terms of the credit facilities, which (i) allowed for the capitalization of accrued and unpaid interest through March 15, 2017, along with the capitalization of certain future interest payments as variable rate loans under the credit facilities, (ii) allowed for the conversion of certain fixed rate loans to variable rate loans upon scheduled repayment, (iii) extended their maturity until June 2037, and (iv) canceled the remaining borrowing capacity with the exception of the capitalization of certain future interest payments. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the OPIC loans was $140.9 million and $141.4 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the IFC loans was $47.3 million and $47.4 million , respectively. The credit facilities are secured by liens over all of Luz del Norte’s assets and by a pledge of all of the equity interests in the entity. Ishikawa Credit Agreement In December 2016, FS Japan Project 12 GK (“Ishikawa”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into a credit agreement (the “Ishikawa Credit Agreement”) with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for aggregate borrowings up to ¥27.3 billion ( $247.4 million ) for the development and construction of a 59 MW AC PV solar power plant located in Ishikawa, Japan. The credit agreement consists of a ¥24.0 billion ( $217.5 million ) senior loan facility, a ¥2.1 billion ( $19.0 million ) consumption tax facility, and a ¥1.2 billion ( $10.9 million ) letter of credit facility. The senior loan facility matures in October 2036, and the consumption tax facility matures in April 2020. The credit agreement is secured by pledges of Ishikawa’s assets, accounts, material project documents, and by the equity interests in the entity. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the credit agreement was $236.9 million and $157.8 million , respectively. Japan Credit Facility In September 2015, First Solar Japan GK, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a construction loan facility with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for borrowings up to ¥4.0 billion ( $36.3 million ) for the development and construction of utility-scale PV solar power plants in Japan (the “Japan Credit Facility”). In September 2018, First Solar Japan GK renewed the facility for an additional one-year period until September 2019. The facility was guaranteed by First Solar, Inc. and secured by pledges of certain projects’ cash accounts and other rights in the projects. As of December 31, 2018 , there was no balance outstanding on the facility. Tochigi Credit Facility In June 2017, First Solar Japan GK, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a term loan facility with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for borrowings up to ¥7.0 billion ( $63.4 million ) for the development of utility-scale PV solar power plants in Japan (the “Tochigi Credit Facility”). The term loan facility matures in March 2021. The facility is guaranteed by First Solar, Inc. and secured by pledges of certain of First Solar Japan GK’s accounts. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the term loan facility was $37.6 million and $25.5 million , respectively. Anantapur Credit Facility In March 2018, Anantapur Solar Parks Private Limited, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into a term loan facility (the “Anantapur Credit Facility”) with J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited for borrowings up to INR 1.2 billion ( $17.1 million ) for costs related to a 20 MW AC PV solar power plant located in Karnataka, India. The term loan facility matures in February 2021 and is secured by a letter of credit issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Singapore, in favor of the lender. Such letter of credit is secured by a cash deposit placed by First Solar FE Holdings Pte. Ltd. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the term loan facility was $15.3 million and $16.1 million , respectively. Tungabhadra Credit Facility In March 2018, Tungabhadra Solar Parks Private Limited, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary and project company, entered into a term loan facility (the “Tungabhadra Credit Facility”) with J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited for borrowings up to INR 1.0 billion ( $14.3 million ) for costs related to a 20 MW AC PV solar power plant located in Karnataka, India. The term loan facility matures in February 2021 and is secured by a letter of credit issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Singapore, in favor of the lender. Such letter of credit is secured by a cash deposit placed by First Solar FE Holdings Pte. Ltd. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the term loan facility was $12.9 million and $13.9 million , respectively. Beryl Credit Facility In May 2018, FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd, our wholly-owned subsidiary and project financing company, entered into a term loan facility (the “Beryl Credit Facility”) with MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for aggregate borrowings up to AUD 146.4 million ( $103.2 million ) for the development and construction of an 87 MW AC PV solar power plant located in New South Wales, Australia. In October 2018, the borrowing capacity on the Beryl Credit Facility was reduced to AUD 136.4 million ( $96.2 million ). Accordingly, the credit facility consisted of an AUD 125.4 million ( $88.4 million ) construction loan facility, an AUD 7.0 million ( $4.9 million ) GST facility to fund certain taxes associated with the construction of the project, and an AUD 4.0 million ( $2.8 million ) letter of credit facility. In June 2019, we completed the sale of our Beryl project, and the outstanding balance of the Beryl Credit Facility of $88.0 million was assumed by the customer. As of December 31, 2018 , the balance outstanding on the credit facility was $77.0 million . Variable Interest Rate Risk Certain of our long-term debt agreements bear interest at prime, LIBOR, TIBOR, BBSY, or equivalent variable rates. An increase in these variable rates would increase the cost of borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility and certain project specific debt financings. Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of September 30, 2019 were as follows: Loan Agreement September 30, 2019 Revolving Credit Facility 4.02% Luz del Norte Credit Facilities (1) 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% Ishikawa Credit Agreement Senior loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.75% (2) Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5% Tochigi Credit Facility 3-month TIBOR plus 1.0% Anantapur Credit Facility INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5% Tungabhadra Credit Facility INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5% —————————— (1) Outstanding balance comprised of $156.7 million of fixed rate loans and $31.5 million of variable rate loans as of September 30, 2019 . (2) We have entered into an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of this variable rate. See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information. Future Principal Payments At September 30, 2019 , the future principal payments on our long-term debt were due as follows (in thousands): Total Debt Remainder of 2019 $ 8,414 2020 29,052 2021 79,746 2022 15,850 2023 18,097 Thereafter 339,700 Total long-term debt future principal payments $ 490,859

10. Commitments and Contingenci

10. Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	10. Commitments and Contingencies Commercial Commitments During the normal course of business, we enter into commercial commitments in the form of letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. Our amended and restated Revolving Credit Facility provides us with a sub-limit of $400.0 million to issue letters of credit, subject to certain additional limits depending on the currencies of the letters of credit, at a fee based on the applicable margin for Eurocurrency revolving loans and a fronting fee. As of September 30, 2019 , we had $52.7 million in letters of credit issued under our Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $347.3 million of availability for the issuance of additional letters of credit. As of September 30, 2019 , we also had $10.1 million of letters of credit under separate agreements that were posted by certain of our foreign subsidiaries and $176.7 million of letters of credit issued under three bilateral facilities, of which $33.0 million was secured with cash, leaving $535.7 million of aggregate available capacity under such agreements and facilities. We also had $80.7 million of surety bonds outstanding, leaving $635.2 million of available bonding capacity under our surety lines as of September 30, 2019 . The majority of these letters of credit and surety bonds supported our systems projects. Product Warranties When we recognize revenue for module or system sales, we accrue liabilities for the estimated future costs of meeting our limited warranty obligations for both modules and the balance of the systems. We make and revise these estimates based primarily on the number of solar modules under warranty, our historical experience with warranty claims, our monitoring of field installation sites, our internal testing and the expected future performance of our solar modules and balance of systems (“BoS”) parts, and our estimated replacement costs. From time to time, we have taken remediation actions with respect to affected modules beyond our limited warranties and 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 obligations may be material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations if we commit to any such remediation actions. Product warranty activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Product warranty liability, beginning of period $ 217,991 $ 225,813 $ 220,692 $ 224,274 Accruals for new warranties issued 1,723 2,954 11,636 8,422 Settlements (4,211 ) (2,423 ) (10,233 ) (7,504 ) Changes in estimate of product warranty liability (77,598 ) (940 ) (84,190 ) 212 Product warranty liability, end of period $ 137,905 $ 225,404 $ 137,905 $ 225,404 Current portion of warranty liability $ 19,526 $ 33,595 $ 19,526 $ 33,595 Noncurrent portion of warranty liability $ 118,379 $ 191,809 $ 118,379 $ 191,809 We estimate our limited product warranty liability for power output and defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions based on return rates for each series of module technology. During the three months ended September 30, 2019 , we revised this estimate downward based on updated information regarding our warranty claims, which reduced our product warranty liability by $80.0 million . This updated information reflected lower-than-expected return rates for our newer series of module technology, the evolving claims profile of each series, and certain changes to our warranty programs. In general, we expect the return rates for our newer series of module technology to be lower than our older series. We estimate that the return rate for such newer series of module technology will be less than 1% . As of September 30, 2019 , a 1% increase in the return rate across all series of module technology would increase our product warranty liability by $83.3 million , and a 1% increase in the return rate for BoS parts would not have a material impact on the associated warranty liability. Performance Guarantees As part of our systems business, we conduct performance testing of a system prior to substantial completion to confirm the system meets its operational and capacity expectations noted in the engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) agreement. In addition, we may provide an energy performance test during the first or second year of a system’s operation to demonstrate that the actual energy generation for the applicable period meets or exceeds the modeled energy expectation, after certain adjustments. If there is an underperformance event with regards to these tests, we may incur liquidated damages as specified in the EPC agreement. In certain instances, a bonus payment may be received at the end of the applicable test period if the system performs above a specified level. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , we accrued $5.3 million and $0.4 million , respectively, for our estimated obligations under such arrangements, which were classified as “ Other current liabilities ” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As part of our O&M service offerings, we typically offer an effective availability guarantee, which stipulates that a system will be available to generate a certain percentage of total possible energy during a specific period after adjusting for factors outside of our control as the service provider, such as weather, curtailment, outages, force majeure, and other conditions that may affect system availability. Effective availability guarantees are only offered as part of our O&M services and terminate at the end of an O&M arrangement. If we fail to meet the contractual threshold for these guarantees, we may incur liquidated damages for certain lost energy. Our O&M agreements typically contain provisions limiting our total potential losses under an agreement, including amounts paid for liquidated damages, to a percentage of O&M fees. Many of our O&M agreements also contain provisions whereby we may receive a bonus payment if system availability exceeds a separate threshold. As of September 30, 2019 , we accrued $0.1 million liquidated damages under our effective availability guarantees, which were classified as “ Other current liabilities ” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Indemnifications In certain limited circumstances, we have provided indemnifications to customers, including project tax equity investors, under which we are contractually obligated to compensate such parties for losses they suffer resulting from a breach of a representation, warranty, or covenant or a reduction in tax benefits received, including investment tax credits. Project related tax benefits are, in part, based on guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Treasury Department, which includes assumptions regarding the fair value of qualifying PV solar power systems. For any sales contracts that have such indemnification provisions, we initially recognize a liability under ASC 460 for the estimated premium that would be required by a guarantor to issue the same indemnity in a standalone arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated party. We typically base these estimates on the cost of insurance policies that cover the underlying risks being indemnified and may purchase such policies to mitigate our exposure to potential indemnification payments. We subsequently measure such liabilities at the greater of the initially estimated premium or the contingent liability required to be recognized under ASC 450. We recognize any indemnification liabilities as a reduction of revenue in the related transaction. After an indemnification liability is recorded, we derecognize such amount pursuant to ASC 460-10-35-2 depending on the nature of the indemnity, which derecognition typically occurs upon expiration or settlement of the arrangement, and any contingent aspects of the indemnity are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450. We accrued $2.1 million of current indemnification liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and $3.0 million of noncurrent indemnification liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . As of September 30, 2019 , the maximum potential amount of future payments under our tax related and other indemnifications was $135.8 million , and we held insurance policies allowing us to recover up to $84.9 million of potential amounts paid under the indemnifications covered by the policies. Contingent Consideration We continually seek to make additions to our advanced-stage project pipeline by actively developing our early-to-mid-stage project pipeline and by pursuing opportunities to acquire projects at various stages of development. In connection with such project acquisitions, we may agree to pay additional amounts to project sellers upon the achievement of certain milestones, such as obtaining a PPA, obtaining financing, or selling the project to a new owner. We recognize a project acquisition contingent liability when we determine that such a liability is both probable and reasonably estimable, and the carrying amount of the related project asset is correspondingly increased. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , we accrued $0.4 million and $0.7 million of current liabilities, respectively, and $5.3 million and $2.3 million of long-term liabilities, respectively, for project related contingent obligations. Any future differences between the acquisition-date contingent obligation estimate and the ultimate settlement of the obligation are recognized as an adjustment to the project asset, as contingent payments are considered direct and incremental to the underlying value of the related project. Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability We previously established a module collection and recycling program, which has since been discontinued, to collect and recycle modules sold and covered under such program once the modules reach the end of their useful lives. For legacy customer sales contracts that were covered under this program, we agreed to pay 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. Accordingly, we recorded any collection and recycling obligations within “Cost of sales” at the time of sale based on the estimated cost to collect and recycle the 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 materials; the cost of freight from the solar module installation sites to a recycling center; material, labor, and capital costs; the scale of recycling centers; and an estimated third-party profit margin and return on risk for collection and recycling services. We base these estimates on (i) our experience collecting and recycling our solar modules, (ii) the expected timing of when our solar modules will be returned for recycling, and (iii) the expected economic factors at the time the solar modules will be collected and recycled. In the periods between the time of sale and the related settlement of the collection and recycling obligation, 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 statements of operations. We periodically review our estimates of expected future recycling costs and may adjust our liability accordingly. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , we completed our annual cost study of obligations under our module collection and recycling program and reduced the associated liability by $34.2 million primarily due to higher by-product credits for glass, lower capital costs resulting from the expanded scale of our recycling facilities, and adjustments to certain valuation assumptions driven by our increased experience with module recycling. Our module collection and recycling liability was $135.0 million and $134.4 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. As of September 30, 2019 , a 1% increase in the annualized inflation rate used in our estimated future collection and recycling cost per module would increase our liability by $25.8 million , and a 1% decrease in that rate would decrease our liability by $21.8 million . See Note 4. “Restricted Cash and Investments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information about our arrangements for funding this liability. Legal Proceedings 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 “Class Action”). 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, the “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. On August 11, 2015, the Arizona District Court granted defendants’ motion in part and denied it in part, and certified an issue for immediate appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (the “Ninth Circuit”). First Solar filed a petition for interlocutory appeal with the Ninth Circuit, and that petition was granted on November 18, 2015. On May 20, 2016, the Pension Schemes moved to vacate the order granting the petition, dismiss the appeal, and stay the merits briefing schedule. On December 13, 2016, the Ninth Circuit denied the Pension Schemes’ motion. On January 31, 2018, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the Arizona District Court’s order denying in part defendants’ motion for summary judgment. On March 16, 2018, First Solar filed a petition for panel rehearing or rehearing en banc with the Ninth Circuit. On May 7, 2018, the Ninth Circuit denied defendants’ petition. On August 6, 2018, defendants filed a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, in the Arizona District Court, expert discovery was completed on February 5, 2019. On June 24, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition. Following the denial of the petition, the Arizona District Court ordered that the trial begin on January 7, 2020. This lawsuit asserts claims that, if resolved against us, could give rise to substantial damages, and an unfavorable outcome or settlement may result in a significant monetary judgment or award against us or a significant monetary payment by us, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Even if this lawsuit is not resolved against us, the costs of defending the lawsuit and of any settlement may be significant. These costs would likely exceed the dollar limits of our insurance policies or may not be covered by our insurance policies. Given the uncertainties of trial, at this time we are not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on our financial condition or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. Opt-Out Action On June 23, 2015, a suit titled Maverick Fund, L.D.C. v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-01156-ROS, was filed in Arizona District Court by putative stockholders that opted out of the Class Action. The complaint names the Company and certain of our current and former directors and officers as defendants, and alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and violated state law, by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for recessionary and actual damages, interest, punitive damages, and an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and will vigorously defend this action. First Solar and the individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on July 16, 2018. On November 27, 2018, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ negligent misrepresentation claim under state law, but otherwise denied defendants’ motion. This action is still in the initial stages, and the parties are beginning limited discovery. At this time we are not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on our financial condition or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. 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 stockholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company (“Bargar”). The complaint generally alleges that 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, 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 Class Action or expiration of a stay issued in certain 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 stay in this action. Most recently, on July 9, 2019, the court entered an order continuing the stay until November 27, 2019. The Company believes that the plaintiff in the Bargar derivative action lacks standing to pursue litigation on behalf of First Solar. The Bargar derivative action is still in the initial stages and there has been no discovery. Accordingly, at this time we are not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on our financial condition or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. Other Matters and Claims We are party to other legal matters and claims in the normal course of our operations. While we believe the ultimate outcome of such other matters and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the outcome of such matters and claims is not determinable with certainty, and negative outcomes may adversely affect us.

11. Revenue from Contracts with

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Text Block]	11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 along with the reportable segment for each category (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Category Segment 2019 2018 2019 2018 Solar modules Modules $ 371,184 $ 119,825 $ 798,744 $ 386,450 Solar power systems Systems 79,792 386,237 454,841 850,306 EPC services Systems 47,219 134,369 287,270 203,941 O&M services Systems 28,245 25,431 82,397 76,572 Energy generation Systems 20,366 10,358 40,488 35,534 Net sales $ 546,806 $ 676,220 $ 1,663,740 $ 1,552,803 We recognize revenue for module sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of the modules to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. Such contracts may contain provisions that require us to make liquidated damage payments to the customer if we fail to ship or deliver modules by scheduled dates. We recognize these liquidated damages as a reduction of revenue in the period we transfer control of the modules to the customer. We generally recognize revenue for sales of solar power systems and/or EPC services over time using cost based input methods, in which significant judgment is required to evaluate assumptions including the amount of net contract revenues and the total estimated costs to determine our progress towards contract completion and to calculate the corresponding amount of revenue to recognize. If the estimated total costs on any contract are greater than the net contract revenues, we recognize the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to estimates related to net contract revenues or costs to complete contracts are recorded in the period in which the revisions to estimates are identified and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Changes in estimates for sales of systems and EPC services occur for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to (i) construction plan accelerations or delays, (ii) module cost forecast changes, (iii) cost related change orders, or (iv) changes in other information used to estimate costs. Changes in estimates may have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The following table outlines the impact on revenue of net changes in estimated transaction prices and input costs for systems related sales contracts (both increases and decreases) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as well as the number of projects that comprise such changes. For purposes of the table, we only include projects with changes in estimates that have a net impact on revenue of at least $1.0 million during the periods presented with the exception of the sales and use tax matter described below, for which the aggregate change in estimate has been presented. Also included in the table is the net change in estimate as a percentage of the aggregate revenue for such projects. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Number of projects (1) 4 2 4 23 (Decrease) increase in revenue from net changes in transaction prices (in thousands) (1) $ (2,435 ) $ 6,672 $ 3,649 $ 54,653 Decrease in revenue from net changes in input cost estimates (in thousands) (6,676 ) (2,948 ) (15,645 ) (13,070 ) Net (decrease) increase in revenue from net changes in estimates (in thousands) $ (9,111 ) $ 3,724 $ (11,996 ) $ 41,583 Net change in estimate as a percentage of aggregate revenue (0.6 )% 0.3 % (1.6 )% 0.4 % —————————— (1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we settled a tax examination with the state of California regarding several matters, including certain sales and use tax payments due under lump sum EPC contracts. Accordingly, we revised our estimates of sales and use taxes due for projects in the state of California, which affected the estimated transaction prices for such contracts, and recorded an increase to revenue of $54.6 million . The following table reflects the changes in our contract assets, which we classify as “Accounts receivable, unbilled” or “Retainage,” and our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Nine Month Change Accounts receivable, unbilled $ 136,734 $ 441,666 Retainage 28,279 16,500 Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage $ 165,013 $ 458,166 $ (293,153 ) (64 )% Deferred revenue (1) $ 134,278 $ 177,769 $ (43,491 ) (24 )% —————————— (1) Includes $41.0 million and $48.0 million of long-term deferred revenue classified as “ Other liabilities ” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. Accounts receivable, unbilled represents a contract asset for revenue that has been recognized in advance of billing the customer, which is common for long-term construction contracts. Billing requirements vary by contract but are generally structured around the completion of certain construction milestones. Some of our EPC contracts for systems we build may also contain retainage provisions. Retainage represents a contract asset for the portion of the contract price earned by us for work performed, but held for payment by the customer as a form of security until we reach certain construction milestones. When we receive consideration, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a sales contract, we record deferred revenue, which represents a contract liability. Such deferred revenue typically results from billings in excess of costs incurred on long-term construction contracts and advance payments received on sales of solar modules. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , our contract assets decreased by $293.2 million primarily due to billings on the California Flats and Willow Springs projects following the completion of substantially all construction activities and final billings on the Manildra project, which we sold in 2018, partially offset by certain unbilled receivables associated with the sale of Seabrook project and also ongoing construction activities at the GA Solar 4 and Phoebe projects. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , our contract liabilities decreased by $43.5 million primarily as a result of revenue recognized for certain EPC projects in Florida, for which we received a portion of the proceeds in prior years, and revenue recognized for sales of solar modules, for which we had received advanced payments in 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , we recognized revenue of $123.2 million and $71.9 million , respectively, that was included in the corresponding contract liability balance at the beginning of the periods. The following table represents our remaining performance obligations as of September 30, 2019 for sales of solar power systems, including uncompleted sold projects, projects under sales contracts subject to conditions precedent, and EPC agreements for partner developed projects that we may construct. Such table excludes remaining performance obligations for any sales arrangements that had not fully satisfied the criteria to be considered a contract with a customer pursuant to the requirements of ASC 606. We expect to recognize $0.3 billion of revenue for such contracts through the later of the substantial completion or the closing dates of the projects. Project/Location Project Size in MW AC Revenue Category EPC Contract/Partner Developed Project Expected Year Revenue Recognition Will Be Completed Percentage of Revenue Recognized Phoebe, Texas 250 EPC Innergix Renewable Energy 2019 98% GA Solar 4, Georgia 200 Solar power systems Origis Energy USA 2020 43% Seabrook, South Carolina 72 Solar power systems Dominion Energy 2019 41% Japan (multiple locations) 52 Solar power systems (1) 2020 —% Troy Solar, Indiana 51 EPC Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company 2020 —% Total 625 —————————— (1) Contracted but not specified As of September 30, 2019 , we had entered into contracts with customers for the future sale of 11.7 GW DC of solar modules for an aggregate transaction price of $4.0 billion . We expect to recognize such amounts as revenue through 2023 as we transfer control of the modules to the customers. While our contracts with customers typically have certain firm purchase commitments, these contracts may be subject to amendments made by us or requested by our customers. These amendments may reduce the volume of modules to be sold under the contract, adjust delivery schedules, or otherwise decrease the expected revenue under these contracts. As of September 30, 2019 , we had entered into O&M contracts covering approximately 11 GW DC of utility-scale PV solar power systems. We expect to recognize $0.5 billion of revenue during the noncancelable term of these O&M contracts over a weighted-average period of 9.4 years .

12. Share-Based Compensation

12. Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	12. Share-Based Compensation The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cost of sales $ 1,719 $ 1,612 $ 5,520 $ 5,148 Selling, general and administrative 6,243 4,620 15,627 16,884 Research and development 1,525 1,319 4,067 4,383 Production start-up 139 — 194 372 Total share-based compensation expense $ 9,626 $ 7,551 $ 25,408 $ 26,787 The following table presents share-based compensation expense by type of award for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Restricted and performance stock units $ 9,298 $ 7,200 $ 23,921 $ 25,193 Unrestricted stock 379 379 1,137 1,258 9,677 7,579 25,058 26,451 Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory (51 ) (28 ) 350 336 Total share-based compensation expense $ 9,626 $ 7,551 $ 25,408 $ 26,787 Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory, project assets and power generating assets was $1.4 million and $1.8 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. As of September 30, 2019 , we had $44.1 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted and performance stock units, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years . In February 2017, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved a long-term incentive program for key executive officers and associates. The program is intended to incentivize retention of our key executive talent, provide a smooth transition from our former key senior talent equity performance program, and align the interests of executive management and stockholders. Specifically, the program consists of (i) performance stock units to be earned over an approximately three-year performance period ending in December 2019 and (ii) stub-year grants of separate performance stock units to be earned over an approximately two-year performance period, which ended in December 2018. In February 2019, the compensation committee of our board of directors certified the achievement of the maximum vesting conditions applicable for the stub-year grants. Accordingly, each participant received one share of common stock for each vested performance unit, net of any tax withholdings. Vesting of the remaining 2017 grants of performance stock units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target cost per watt and operating expense metrics. In April 2018, in continuation of our long-term incentive program for key executive officers and associates, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved additional grants of performance stock units to be earned over an approximately three-year performance period ending in December 2020. Vesting of the 2018 grants of performance stock units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target gross margin, operating expense, and contracted revenue metrics. In July 2019, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved additional grants of performance stock units for key executive officers. Such grants are expected to be earned over a multi-year performance period ending in December 2021. Vesting of the 2019 grants of performance stock units is contingent upon the relative attainment of target cost per watt, module wattage, gross profit, and operating income metrics. Vesting of performance stock units is also contingent upon the employment of program participants through the applicable vesting dates, with limited exceptions in case of death, disability, a qualifying retirement, or a change-in-control of First Solar. Outstanding performance stock units are included in the computation of diluted net income per share based on the number of shares that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period.

13. Income Taxes

13. Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	13. Income Taxes Our effective tax rate was (84.8)% and 12.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by higher losses in certain jurisdictions for which no tax benefit could be recorded, combined with our pretax loss in the current period. Our provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to higher losses in certain jurisdictions for which no tax benefit could be recorded, combined with our pretax loss in the current period, certain discrete tax expenses associated with filing a tax return in a foreign jurisdiction, interest and penalties related to various uncertain tax positions, and the beneficial impact of our Malaysian tax holiday. 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 with 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 . In the normal course of business, we establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the realization of the assets is not more likely than not. We intend to maintain such valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of the allowances. Given our anticipated future earnings in a foreign jurisdiction, it is reasonably possible that, within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reverse the valuation allowance in such jurisdiction. However, the exact timing and amount of such reversal is subject to change depending on our future earnings in the jurisdiction and other factors. We account for uncertain tax positions pursuant to the recognition and measurement criteria under ASC 740. We do not expect any uncertain tax positions will be recognized in the next 12 months due to the expiration of the statute of limitations associated with such tax positions. We are subject to audit by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. We are currently under examination in Chile, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the state of California. We believe that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed by our tax examinations are not resolved in a manner consistent with our expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Share	14. Net Income (Loss) per Share Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares, including restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares, unless there is a net loss for the period. In computing diluted net income per share, we utilize the treasury stock method. The calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Basic net income (loss) per share Numerator: Net income (loss) $ 30,622 $ 57,750 $ (55,525 ) $ 92,210 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 105,397 104,804 105,272 104,711 Diluted net income (loss) per share Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 105,397 104,804 105,272 104,711 Effect of restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares 830 1,359 — 1,500 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share 106,227 106,163 105,272 106,211 Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.29 $ 0.55 $ (0.53 ) $ 0.88 Diluted $ 0.29 $ 0.54 $ (0.53 ) $ 0.87 The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Anti-dilutive shares — 603 787 394

15. Accumulated Other Comprehen

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Total Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (66,380 ) $ 10,641 $ 1,273 $ (54,466 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (5,055 ) 36,648 153 31,746 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,190 ) (15,016 ) (1,205 ) (17,411 ) Net tax effect — 184 429 613 Net other comprehensive (loss) income (6,245 ) 21,816 (623 ) 14,948 Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ (72,625 ) $ 32,457 $ 650 $ (39,518 ) The following table presents the pretax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Comprehensive Income Components Income Statement Line Item Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Foreign currency translation adjustment Cost of sales $ — $ — $ 1,190 $ — Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments Other (loss) income, net — — 15,016 19,473 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts: Foreign exchange forward contracts Net sales — 46 124 (1,698 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales — (212 ) 1,081 (212 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency gain (loss), net — (5,448 ) — (5,448 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Other (loss) income, net — 546 — 546 — (5,068 ) 1,205 (6,812 ) Total amount reclassified $ — $ (5,068 ) $ 17,411 $ 12,661

16. Segment Reporting

16. Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	16. Segment Reporting We operate our business in two segments. Our modules segment involves the design, manufacture, and sale of cadmium telluride (“CdTe”) solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. Third-party customers of our modules segment include integrators and operators of PV solar power systems. Our second segment is our systems segment, through which we provide integrated power plant solutions, which include (i) project development, (ii) EPC services, and (iii) O&M services. We may provide any combination of individual products and services within such capabilities depending upon the customer and market opportunity. Our systems segment customers include utilities, independent power producers, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners. As part of our systems segment, we may also temporarily own and operate certain of our systems for a period of time based on strategic opportunities or market factors. In September 2019, we announced our transition from an internal EPC service model in the United States to an external model, in which we expect to leverage the capabilities of third-party EPC services in providing power plant solutions to our systems segment customers. This transition is scheduled to occur through the rest of 2019 and is not expected to affect any projects to be completed this year. The shift to an external EPC service model in the United States aligns with our typical model in international markets and is facilitated, in part, by our Series 6 module technology and its improved BoS compatibility. See Note 22. “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for additional discussion of our segment reporting. The following tables present certain financial information for our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Net sales $ 371,184 $ 175,622 $ 546,806 $ 119,825 $ 556,395 $ 676,220 Gross profit (loss) 147,806 (9,443 ) 138,363 (5,654 ) 134,781 129,127 Depreciation and amortization expense 38,063 6,628 44,691 25,539 4,268 29,807 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Net sales $ 798,744 $ 864,996 $ 1,663,740 $ 386,450 $ 1,166,353 $ 1,552,803 Gross (loss) profit 134,293 81,364 215,657 (21,927 ) 315,794 293,867 Depreciation and amortization expense 118,448 15,206 133,654 52,802 14,363 67,165 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, an_2

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalent, and Marketable Securities	Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 871,711 $ 1,202,774 Money market funds 7,288 200,788 Total cash and cash equivalents 878,999 1,403,562 Marketable securities: Foreign debt 361,414 318,646 Foreign government obligations 21,988 98,621 U.S. debt 90,388 44,468 Time deposits 187,762 681,969 Total marketable securities 661,552 1,143,704 Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 1,540,551 $ 2,547,266
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 to the total of such amounts as presented in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (in thousands): Balance Sheet Line Item September 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents $ 878,999 $ 1,403,562 Restricted cash – current (1) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 32,416 19,671 Restricted cash – noncurrent (1) Restricted cash and investments 64,091 139,390 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 975,506 $ 1,562,623 —————————— (1) See Note 4. “Restricted Cash and Investments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Restricted cash” arrangements.
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our available-for-sale marketable securities, by major security type, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign debt $ 360,923 $ 1,090 $ 599 $ 361,414 Foreign government obligations 21,988 — — 21,988 U.S. debt 90,250 171 33 90,388 Time deposits 187,762 — — 187,762 Total $ 660,923 $ 1,261 $ 632 $ 661,552 As of December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign debt $ 320,056 $ 468 $ 1,878 $ 318,646 Foreign government obligations 99,189 — 568 98,621 U.S. debt 44,625 53 210 44,468 Time deposits 681,969 — — 681,969 Total $ 1,145,839 $ 521 $ 2,656 $ 1,143,704
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	The following tables show unrealized losses and fair values for those marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , aggregated by major security type and the length of time the marketable securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 In Loss Position for Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position for 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Foreign debt $ 133,345 $ 541 $ 24,196 $ 58 $ 157,541 $ 599 U.S. debt 25,797 29 14,270 4 40,067 33 Total $ 159,142 $ 570 $ 38,466 $ 62 $ 197,608 $ 632 As of December 31, 2018 In Loss Position for Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position for 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Foreign debt $ 150,842 $ 802 $ 94,446 $ 1,076 $ 245,288 $ 1,878 Foreign government obligations — — 98,621 568 98,621 568 U.S. debt 15,356 32 14,085 178 29,441 210 Total $ 166,198 $ 834 $ 207,152 $ 1,822 $ 373,350 $ 2,656
Available-for-sale Marketable Securities by Maturity	The contractual maturities of our marketable securities as of September 30, 2019 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value One year or less $ 346,453 One year to two years 182,861 Two years to three years 102,224 Three years to four years 30,014 Total $ 661,552

4. Restricted Cash and Invest_2

4. Restricted Cash and Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash And Investments	Restricted cash and investments consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Restricted cash $ 64,091 $ 139,390 Restricted investments 241,378 179,000 Total restricted cash and investments (1) $ 305,469 $ 318,390 —————————— (1) There was an additional $32.4 million and $19.7 million of restricted cash included within “ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ” at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively.
Restricted Available For Sale Securities	The following tables summarize the unrealized gains and losses related to our restricted investments, by major security type, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): As of September 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign government obligations $ 116,424 $ 17,552 $ — $ 133,976 U.S. government obligations 98,414 8,988 — 107,402 Total $ 214,838 $ 26,540 $ — $ 241,378 As of December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value Foreign government obligations $ 73,798 $ 14,234 $ 235 $ 87,797 U.S. government obligations 97,223 416 6,436 91,203 Total $ 171,021 $ 14,650 $ 6,671 $ 179,000
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Restricted Investments	The following table shows unrealized losses and fair values for those restricted investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 , aggregated by major security type and the length of time the restricted investments have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 In Loss Position for In Loss Position for Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Foreign government obligations $ 41,335 $ 235 $ — $ — $ 41,335 $ 235 U.S. government obligations — — 87,401 6,436 87,401 6,436 Total $ 41,335 $ 235 $ 87,401 $ 6,436 $ 128,736 $ 6,671

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet_2

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	Accounts receivable trade, net Accounts receivable trade, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accounts receivable trade, gross $ 369,295 $ 129,644 Allowance for doubtful accounts (1,989 ) (1,362 ) Accounts receivable trade, net $ 367,306 $ 128,282 At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $63.2 million and $8.5 million , respectively, of our accounts receivable trade, net were secured by letters of credit, bank guarantees, surety bonds, 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accounts receivable, unbilled $ 136,734 $ 441,666 Retainage 28,279 16,500 Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage $ 165,013 $ 458,166
Schedule of Inventories, Current and Noncurrent	Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Raw materials $ 241,305 $ 224,329 Work in process 51,926 41,294 Finished goods 436,113 252,372 Inventories $ 729,344 $ 517,995 Inventories – current $ 576,770 $ 387,912 Inventories – noncurrent $ 152,574 $ 130,083
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Prepaid expenses $ 128,776 $ 90,981 Prepaid income taxes 76,613 59,319 Restricted cash 32,416 19,671 Indirect tax receivables 28,238 26,327 Notes receivable (1) 23,440 5,196 Derivative instruments (2) 2,299 2,364 Other current assets 27,653 39,203 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 319,435 $ 243,061 —————————— (1) In November 2014 and February 2016, we entered into a term loan agreement and a convertible loan agreement, respectively, with Clean Energy Collective, LLC (“CEC”). Our term loan bears interest at 16% per annum, and our convertible loan bears interest at 10% per annum. In November 2018, we amended the terms of the loan agreements to (i) extend their maturity to June 2020, (ii) waive the conversion features on our convertible loan, and (iii) increase the frequency of interest payments, subject to certain conditions. In January 2019, CEC finalized certain restructuring arrangements, which resulted in a dilution of our ownership interest in CEC and the loss of our representation on the company’s board of managers. As a result of such restructuring, CEC no longer qualified to be accounted for under the equity method. As of September 30, 2019 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was $23.1 million and was presented within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.” As of December 31, 2018 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was $22.8 million and was presented within “Notes receivable, affiliate.” (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Land $ 14,176 $ 14,382 Buildings and improvements 658,510 567,605 Machinery and equipment 2,166,391 1,826,434 Office equipment and furniture 186,852 178,011 Leasehold improvements 49,018 49,055 Construction in progress 406,056 405,581 Property, plant and equipment, gross 3,481,003 3,041,068 Accumulated depreciation (1,374,035 ) (1,284,857 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,106,968 $ 1,756,211
Schedule of PV Solar Power Systems, Net	Photovoltaic (“PV”) solar power systems, net consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, PV solar power systems, gross $ 531,869 $ 343,061 Accumulated depreciation (47,276 ) (34,421 ) PV solar power systems, net $ 484,593 $ 308,640
Schedule of Project Assets	Project assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Project assets – development costs, including project acquisition and land costs $ 297,753 $ 298,070 Project assets – construction costs 274,321 200,359 Project assets $ 572,074 $ 498,429 Project assets – current $ 5,557 $ 37,930 Project assets – noncurrent $ 566,517 $ 460,499
Schedule of Capitalized Interest	The cost of constructing project assets may include interest costs incurred during the development and construction period. The components of interest expense and capitalized interest were as follows during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost incurred $ (5,239 ) $ (5,023 ) $ (26,348 ) $ (19,080 ) Interest cost capitalized – project assets 263 1,825 2,330 4,635 Interest expense, net $ (4,976 ) $ (3,198 ) $ (24,018 ) $ (14,445 )
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent	Other assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Operating lease assets (1) $ 176,785 $ — Indirect tax receivables 9,209 22,487 Note receivable (2) 8,003 8,017 Income taxes receivable 4,103 4,444 Equity method investments (3) 2,917 3,186 Derivative instruments (4) 449 — Deferred rent — 27,249 Other 46,249 33,495 Other assets $ 247,715 $ 98,878 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) In April 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 bears interest at 8.0% per annum, payable quarterly, with the full amount due in December 2026. (3) In June 2015, 8point3 Energy Partners LP (the “Partnership”), a limited partnership formed by First Solar and SunPower Corporation (collectively the “Sponsors”), completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”). As part of the IPO, the Sponsors contributed interests in various projects to 8point3 Operating Company, LLC (“OpCo”) in exchange for voting and economic interests in the entity, and the Partnership acquired an economic interest in OpCo using proceeds from the IPO. In June 2018, we completed the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries to CD Clean Energy and Infrastructure V JV, LLC, an equity fund managed by Capital Dynamics, Inc. and certain other co-investors and other parties, and received net proceeds of $240.0 million after the payment of fees, expenses, and other amounts. We accounted for our interests in OpCo, a subsidiary of the Partnership, under the equity method of accounting as we were able to exercise significant influence over the Partnership due to our representation on the board of directors of its general partner and certain of our associates serving as officers of its general partner. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized equity in earnings, net of tax, of $39.7 million from our investment in OpCo, including a gain of $40.3 million , net of tax, for the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we received distributions from OpCo of $12.4 million . In connection with the IPO, we also entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of the Partnership to lease back one of our originally contributed projects, Maryland Solar, until December 31, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, we make fixed rent payments to the Partnership’s subsidiary and are entitled to all of the energy generated by the project. Due to certain continuing involvement with the project, we accounted for the leaseback agreement as a financing transaction until the sale of our interests in the Partnership and its subsidiaries in June 2018. Following the sale of such interests, the Maryland Solar project qualified for sale-leaseback accounting, and we recognized net revenue of $32.0 million from the sale of the project. (4) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.
Schedule of Goodwill	Goodwill for the relevant reporting unit consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): December 31, Acquisitions (Impairments) September 30, Modules $ 407,827 $ — $ 407,827 Accumulated impairment losses (393,365 ) — (393,365 ) Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462
Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net	The following tables summarize our intangible assets at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2019 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 97,964 $ (39,977 ) $ 57,987 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (892 ) 5,594 Patents 7,408 (4,204 ) 3,204 Intangible assets, net $ 111,858 $ (45,073 ) $ 66,785 December 31, 2018 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Developed technology $ 97,714 $ (33,093 ) $ 64,621 Power purchase agreements 6,486 (648 ) 5,838 Patents 7,408 (3,705 ) 3,703 Intangible assets, net $ 111,608 $ (37,446 ) $ 74,162
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accrued project costs $ 85,285 $ 147,162 Accrued property, plant and equipment 77,628 89,905 Accrued compensation and benefits 59,396 41,937 Accrued inventory 50,092 53,075 Product warranty liability (1) 19,526 27,657 Other 85,437 81,844 Accrued expenses $ 377,364 $ 441,580 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product warranty liability.”
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	Other current liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Operating lease liabilities (1) $ 11,221 $ — Derivative instruments (2) 3,239 7,294 Contingent consideration (3) 350 665 Other 13,612 6,421 Other current liabilities $ 28,422 $ 14,380 —————————— (1) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (2) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments. (3) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Contingent consideration” arrangements.
Schedule of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Product warranty liability (1) $ 118,379 $ 193,035 Operating lease liabilities (2) 142,256 — Other taxes payable 88,786 83,058 Transition tax liability 68,851 77,016 Deferred revenue 40,995 48,014 Derivative instruments (3) 8,706 9,205 Contingent consideration (1) 5,250 2,250 Other liabilities — noncurrent 51,126 55,261 Other liabilities $ 524,349 $ 467,839 —————————— (1) See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our “Product warranty liability” and “Contingent consideration” arrangements. (2) See Note 7. “Leases” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our lease arrangements. (3) See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of our derivative instruments.

6. Derivative Financial Instr_2

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2019 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 230 $ 449 $ 180 $ — Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 230 $ 449 $ 180 $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2,069 $ — $ 2,594 $ — Interest rate swap contracts — — 465 8,706 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 2,069 $ — $ 3,059 $ 8,706 Total derivative instruments $ 2,299 $ 449 $ 3,239 $ 8,706 December 31, 2018 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 158 $ — $ — Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 158 $ — $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2,206 $ 7,096 $ — Interest rate swap contracts — 198 9,205 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ 2,206 $ 7,294 $ 9,205 Total derivative instruments $ 2,364 $ 7,294 $ 9,205
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the pretax amounts related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges affecting accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 1,329 Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) 153 Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Net sales (124 ) Cost of sales (1,081 ) Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ 277 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (1,723 ) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (3,884 ) Amounts reclassified to earnings impacting: Net sales 1,698 Cost of sales 212 Foreign currency gain (loss), net 5,448 Other (loss) income, net (546 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 1,205
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as hedges affecting our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Income Statement Line Item 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest rate swap contracts Cost of sales $ — $ — $ (1,656 ) $ — Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency gain (loss), net 3,635 7,098 883 13,477 Interest rate swap contracts Interest expense, net (357 ) 883 (10,089 ) (1,284 )
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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): September 30, 2019 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent U.S. dollar (1) $31.6 $31.6 December 31, 2018 Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Australian dollar AUD 8.8 $6.2 —————————— (1) These derivative instruments represent hedges of outstanding payables at certain of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar.
Schedule of Notional Value of Foreign Exchange Forward Derivatives [Table Text Block]	As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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): September 30, 2019 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 14.2 $9.6 Sell Australian dollar AUD 7.3 $4.9 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 8.5 $2.0 Purchase Canadian dollar CAD 4.5 $3.4 Sell Canadian dollar CAD 1.6 $1.2 Purchase Chilean peso CLP 1,632.3 $2.2 Sell Chilean peso CLP 5,180.1 $7.1 Purchase Euro €138.3 $151.2 Sell Euro €148.8 $162.7 Purchase Indian rupee INR 85.9 $1.2 Sell Indian rupee INR 1,621.4 $23.0 Purchase Japanese yen ¥2,462.8 $22.8 Sell Japanese yen ¥20,906.6 $193.5 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 65.5 $15.6 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 86.0 $20.5 Sell Mexican peso MXN 34.6 $1.8 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 2.9 $2.1 December 31, 2018 Transaction Currency Notional Amount USD Equivalent Purchase Australian dollar AUD 2.1 $1.5 Sell Australian dollar AUD 52.9 $37.3 Purchase Brazilian real BRL 8.5 $2.2 Sell Canadian dollar CAD 2.9 $2.1 Sell Chilean peso CLP 3,506.6 $5.1 Purchase Euro €115.2 $131.9 Sell Euro €191.8 $219.7 Sell Indian rupee INR 789.2 $11.3 Purchase Japanese yen ¥931.6 $8.4 Sell Japanese yen ¥23,858.8 $216.2 Purchase Malaysian ringgit MYR 34.3 $8.3 Sell Malaysian ringgit MYR 53.8 $12.9 Sell Mexican peso MXN 37.3 $1.9 Purchase Singapore dollar SGD 3.8 $2.8

7. Leases (Tables)

7. Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of operating lease cost and related information	The following table presents certain quantitative information related to our lease arrangements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and as of September 30, 2019 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 5,788 $ 16,607 Variable lease cost 904 2,592 Short-term lease cost 1,118 6,818 Total lease cost $ 7,810 $ 26,017 Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 15,995 Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 172,760 September 30, 2019 Operating lease assets $ 176,785 Operating lease liabilities – current 11,221 Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent 142,256 Weighted-average remaining lease term 17 years Weighted-average discount rate 4.5 %
Operating lease liability maturity	As of September 30, 2019 , the future payments associated with our lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands): Total Lease Liabilities Remainder of 2019 $ 4,534 2020 15,688 2021 15,607 2022 15,124 2023 14,967 Thereafter 156,009 Total future payments 221,929 Less: interest (68,452 ) Total lease liabilities $ 153,477

8. Fair Value Measurements (Tab

8. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis	At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the fair value measurements of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using September 30, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 7,288 $ 7,288 $ — $ — Marketable securities: Foreign debt 361,414 — 361,414 — Foreign government obligations 21,988 — 21,988 — U.S. debt 90,388 — 90,388 — Time deposits 187,762 187,762 — — Restricted investments 241,378 — 241,378 — Derivative assets 2,748 — 2,748 — Total assets $ 912,966 $ 195,050 $ 717,916 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 11,945 $ — $ 11,945 $ — Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using December 31, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Assets: Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 200,788 $ 200,788 $ — $ — Marketable securities: Foreign debt 318,646 — 318,646 — Foreign government obligations 98,621 — 98,621 — U.S. debt 44,468 — 44,468 — Time deposits 681,969 681,969 — — Restricted investments 179,000 — 179,000 — Derivative assets 2,364 — 2,364 — Total assets $ 1,525,856 $ 882,757 $ 643,099 $ — Liabilities: Derivative liabilities $ 16,499 $ — $ 16,499 $ —
Carrying value and fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value	At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments not measured at fair value were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Assets: Notes receivable – current (2) $ 23,440 $ 25,319 $ 5,196 $ 5,196 Note receivable – noncurrent 8,003 9,974 8,017 8,010 Notes receivable, affiliate – noncurrent (2) — — 22,832 24,295 Liabilities: Long-term debt, including current maturities (1) $ 490,859 $ 511,027 $ 479,157 $ 470,124 —————————— (1) Excludes unamortized discounts and issuance costs. (2) In January 2019, CEC no longer qualified to be accounted for under the equity method, and our loans to the company were no longer classified as notes receivable from an affiliate. As of September 30, 2019 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was presented within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.” As of December 31, 2018 , the aggregate balance outstanding on the loans was presented within “Notes receivable, affiliate.”

9. Debt (Tables)

9. Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Our long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Balance (USD) Loan Agreement Currency September 30, December 31, Revolving Credit Facility USD $ — $ — Luz del Norte Credit Facilities USD 188,218 188,849 Ishikawa Credit Agreement JPY 236,894 157,834 Japan Credit Facility JPY — — Tochigi Credit Facility JPY 37,572 25,468 Anantapur Credit Facility INR 15,285 16,101 Tungabhadra Credit Facility INR 12,890 13,934 Beryl Credit Facility AUD — 76,971 Long-term debt principal 490,859 479,157 Less: unamortized discounts and issuance costs (10,555 ) (12,366 ) Total long-term debt 480,304 466,791 Less: current portion (28,240 ) (5,570 ) Noncurrent portion $ 452,064 $ 461,221
Schedule of Borrowing Rate on Debt	Our long-term debt borrowing rates as of September 30, 2019 were as follows: Loan Agreement September 30, 2019 Revolving Credit Facility 4.02% Luz del Norte Credit Facilities (1) 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% Ishikawa Credit Agreement Senior loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.75% (2) Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5% Tochigi Credit Facility 3-month TIBOR plus 1.0% Anantapur Credit Facility INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5% Tungabhadra Credit Facility INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5% —————————— (1) Outstanding balance comprised of $156.7 million of fixed rate loans and $31.5 million of variable rate loans as of September 30, 2019 . (2) We have entered into an interest rate swap contract to hedge a portion of this variable rate. See Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	At September 30, 2019 , the future principal payments on our long-term debt were due as follows (in thousands): Total Debt Remainder of 2019 $ 8,414 2020 29,052 2021 79,746 2022 15,850 2023 18,097 Thereafter 339,700 Total long-term debt future principal payments $ 490,859

10. Commitments and Contingen_2

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	Product warranty activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Product warranty liability, beginning of period $ 217,991 $ 225,813 $ 220,692 $ 224,274 Accruals for new warranties issued 1,723 2,954 11,636 8,422 Settlements (4,211 ) (2,423 ) (10,233 ) (7,504 ) Changes in estimate of product warranty liability (77,598 ) (940 ) (84,190 ) 212 Product warranty liability, end of period $ 137,905 $ 225,404 $ 137,905 $ 225,404 Current portion of warranty liability $ 19,526 $ 33,595 $ 19,526 $ 33,595 Noncurrent portion of warranty liability $ 118,379 $ 191,809 $ 118,379 $ 191,809

11. Revenue from Contracts wi_2

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue, by Type of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 along with the reportable segment for each category (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Category Segment 2019 2018 2019 2018 Solar modules Modules $ 371,184 $ 119,825 $ 798,744 $ 386,450 Solar power systems Systems 79,792 386,237 454,841 850,306 EPC services Systems 47,219 134,369 287,270 203,941 O&M services Systems 28,245 25,431 82,397 76,572 Energy generation Systems 20,366 10,358 40,488 35,534 Net sales $ 546,806 $ 676,220 $ 1,663,740 $ 1,552,803
Changes in Estimates Systems Business [Table Text Block]	The following table outlines the impact on revenue of net changes in estimated transaction prices and input costs for systems related sales contracts (both increases and decreases) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as well as the number of projects that comprise such changes. For purposes of the table, we only include projects with changes in estimates that have a net impact on revenue of at least $1.0 million during the periods presented with the exception of the sales and use tax matter described below, for which the aggregate change in estimate has been presented. Also included in the table is the net change in estimate as a percentage of the aggregate revenue for such projects. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Number of projects (1) 4 2 4 23 (Decrease) increase in revenue from net changes in transaction prices (in thousands) (1) $ (2,435 ) $ 6,672 $ 3,649 $ 54,653 Decrease in revenue from net changes in input cost estimates (in thousands) (6,676 ) (2,948 ) (15,645 ) (13,070 ) Net (decrease) increase in revenue from net changes in estimates (in thousands) $ (9,111 ) $ 3,724 $ (11,996 ) $ 41,583 Net change in estimate as a percentage of aggregate revenue (0.6 )% 0.3 % (1.6 )% 0.4 % —————————— (1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , we settled a tax examination with the state of California regarding several matters, including certain sales and use tax payments due under lump sum EPC contracts. Accordingly, we revised our estimates of sales and use taxes due for projects in the state of California, which affected the estimated transaction prices for such contracts, and recorded an increase to revenue of $54.6 million .
Changes in Contract Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the changes in our contract assets, which we classify as “Accounts receivable, unbilled” or “Retainage,” and our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Nine Month Change Accounts receivable, unbilled $ 136,734 $ 441,666 Retainage 28,279 16,500 Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage $ 165,013 $ 458,166 $ (293,153 ) (64 )% Deferred revenue (1) $ 134,278 $ 177,769 $ (43,491 ) (24 )% —————————— (1) Includes $41.0 million and $48.0 million of long-term deferred revenue classified as “ Other liabilities ” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively.
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table Text Block]	The following table represents our remaining performance obligations as of September 30, 2019 for sales of solar power systems, including uncompleted sold projects, projects under sales contracts subject to conditions precedent, and EPC agreements for partner developed projects that we may construct. Such table excludes remaining performance obligations for any sales arrangements that had not fully satisfied the criteria to be considered a contract with a customer pursuant to the requirements of ASC 606. We expect to recognize $0.3 billion of revenue for such contracts through the later of the substantial completion or the closing dates of the projects. Project/Location Project Size in MW AC Revenue Category EPC Contract/Partner Developed Project Expected Year Revenue Recognition Will Be Completed Percentage of Revenue Recognized Phoebe, Texas 250 EPC Innergix Renewable Energy 2019 98% GA Solar 4, Georgia 200 Solar power systems Origis Energy USA 2020 43% Seabrook, South Carolina 72 Solar power systems Dominion Energy 2019 41% Japan (multiple locations) 52 Solar power systems (1) 2020 —% Troy Solar, Indiana 51 EPC Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company 2020 —% Total 625 —————————— (1) Contracted but not specified

12. Share-Based Compensation (T

12. Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cost of sales $ 1,719 $ 1,612 $ 5,520 $ 5,148 Selling, general and administrative 6,243 4,620 15,627 16,884 Research and development 1,525 1,319 4,067 4,383 Production start-up 139 — 194 372 Total share-based compensation expense $ 9,626 $ 7,551 $ 25,408 $ 26,787 The following table presents share-based compensation expense by type of award for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Restricted and performance stock units $ 9,298 $ 7,200 $ 23,921 $ 25,193 Unrestricted stock 379 379 1,137 1,258 9,677 7,579 25,058 26,451 Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory (51 ) (28 ) 350 336 Total share-based compensation expense $ 9,626 $ 7,551 $ 25,408 $ 26,787

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Sha_2

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Basic net income (loss) per share Numerator: Net income (loss) $ 30,622 $ 57,750 $ (55,525 ) $ 92,210 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 105,397 104,804 105,272 104,711 Diluted net income (loss) per share Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 105,397 104,804 105,272 104,711 Effect of restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares 830 1,359 — 1,500 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share 106,227 106,163 105,272 106,211 Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.29 $ 0.55 $ (0.53 ) $ 0.88 Diluted $ 0.29 $ 0.54 $ (0.53 ) $ 0.87
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as such shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Anti-dilutive shares — 603 787 394

15. Accumulated Other Compreh_2

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands): Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Total Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (66,380 ) $ 10,641 $ 1,273 $ (54,466 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (5,055 ) 36,648 153 31,746 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,190 ) (15,016 ) (1,205 ) (17,411 ) Net tax effect — 184 429 613 Net other comprehensive (loss) income (6,245 ) 21,816 (623 ) 14,948 Balance as of September 30, 2019 $ (72,625 ) $ 32,457 $ 650 $ (39,518 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table presents the pretax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): Comprehensive Income Components Income Statement Line Item Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2019 2018 2019 2018 Foreign currency translation adjustment Cost of sales $ — $ — $ 1,190 $ — Unrealized gain on marketable securities and restricted investments Other (loss) income, net — — 15,016 19,473 Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts: Foreign exchange forward contracts Net sales — 46 124 (1,698 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Cost of sales — (212 ) 1,081 (212 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Foreign currency gain (loss), net — (5,448 ) — (5,448 ) Foreign exchange forward contracts Other (loss) income, net — 546 — 546 — (5,068 ) 1,205 (6,812 ) Total amount reclassified $ — $ (5,068 ) $ 17,411 $ 12,661

16. Segment Reporting (Tables)

16. Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following tables present certain financial information for our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Net sales $ 371,184 $ 175,622 $ 546,806 $ 119,825 $ 556,395 $ 676,220 Gross profit (loss) 147,806 (9,443 ) 138,363 (5,654 ) 134,781 129,127 Depreciation and amortization expense 38,063 6,628 44,691 25,539 4,268 29,807 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Net sales $ 798,744 $ 864,996 $ 1,663,740 $ 386,450 $ 1,166,353 $ 1,552,803 Gross (loss) profit 134,293 81,364 215,657 (21,927 ) 315,794 293,867 Depreciation and amortization expense 118,448 15,206 133,654 52,802 14,363 67,165 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Modules Systems Total Modules Systems Total Goodwill $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462 $ 14,462 $ — $ 14,462

2. Recent Accounting Pronounc_2

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 176,785		$ 0
Operating lease liabilities	$ 153,477
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets		$ 140,700
Operating lease liabilities		$ 119,900

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, an_3

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 878,999		$ 878,999		$ 1,403,562
Marketable securities	661,552		661,552		1,143,704
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	1,540,551		1,540,551		2,547,266
Restricted cash - current	32,416		32,416		19,671
Restricted cash - noncurrent	64,091		64,091		139,390
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	975,506	$ 1,524,172	975,506	$ 1,524,172	1,562,623	$ 2,330,476
Marketable Securities, Sale Proceeds	32,000	0	52,000	10,800
Marketable Securities, Realized Gain	0	$ 0	0
Maximum [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities, Realized Gain				$ 100
Foreign debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	361,414		361,414		318,646
Foreign government obligations [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	21,988		21,988		98,621
U.S debt [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	90,388		90,388		44,468
Time deposits [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	187,762		187,762		681,969
Cash [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	871,711		871,711		1,202,774
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,288		$ 7,288		$ 200,788

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, an_4

3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Details) - Marketable Securities $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)Investments	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Investments
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 660,923	$ 1,145,839
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,261	521
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	632	2,656
Marketable securities	$ 661,552	$ 1,143,704
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions | Investments	3	15
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months	$ 159,142	$ 166,198
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss	570	834
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer	38,466	207,152
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	62	1,822
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position	197,608	373,350
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	632	2,656
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year	346,453
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year One Through Two	182,861
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Two Through Three	102,224
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturities, Rolling Year Three Through Four	30,014
Foreign debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	360,923	320,056
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,090	468
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	599	1,878
Marketable securities	361,414	318,646
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months	133,345	150,842
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss	541	802
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer	24,196	94,446
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	58	1,076
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position	157,541	245,288
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	599	1,878
Foreign government obligations [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	21,988	99,189
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	568
Marketable securities	21,988	98,621
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer		98,621
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		568
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position		98,621
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		568
U.S debt [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	90,250	44,625
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	171	53
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	33	210
Marketable securities	90,388	44,468
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months	25,797	15,356
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss	29	32
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer	14,270	14,085
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	4	178
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position	40,067	29,441
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	33	210
Time deposits [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	187,762	681,969
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Marketable securities	$ 187,762	$ 681,969

4. Restricted Cash and Invest_3

4. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) - Restricted Cash and Restricted Investments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted cash - noncurrent	$ 64,091		$ 139,390
Restricted Investments	241,378		179,000
Restricted cash and investments, noncurrent	305,469		318,390
Restricted cash - current	$ 32,416		19,671
Product minimum service life	25 years
Restricted Investments [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Restricted Investments	$ 241,378		$ 179,000
Proceeds from sale of restricted investments	47,900	$ 101,600
Realized gain from sale of restricted investments	15,000	$ 19,500
Proceeds from sale of restricted investments withdrawn from custodial accounts	$ 14,900

4. Restricted Cash and Invest_4

4. Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) - Available For Sale Securities $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)Investments	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Investments
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 660,923	$ 1,145,839
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,261	521
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	632	2,656
Restricted Investments	$ 241,378	$ 179,000
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions | Investments	3	15
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months	$ 159,142	$ 166,198
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss	570	834
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer	38,466	207,152
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	62	1,822
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position	197,608	373,350
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	632	2,656
Foreign government obligations [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	21,988	99,189
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	568
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer		98,621
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		568
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position		98,621
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		568
Restricted Investments [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	214,838	171,021
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	26,540	14,650
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	6,671
Restricted Investments	$ 241,378	$ 179,000
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions | Investments	0	6
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months		$ 41,335
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss		235
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer		87,401
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		6,436
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position		128,736
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		6,671
Restricted Investments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Contractual maturities of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, range start (in years)	10 years
Restricted Investments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Contractual maturities of Debt securities, Available-for-sale, range end (in years)	20 years
Restricted Investments [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 116,424	73,798
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	17,552	14,234
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	235
Restricted Investments	133,976	87,797
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months		41,335
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss		235
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position		41,335
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		235
Restricted Investments [Member] | U.S. government obligations [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	98,414	97,223
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	8,988	416
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	6,436
Restricted Investments	$ 107,402	91,203
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position:
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 months, Accumulated Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer		87,401
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		6,436
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position		87,401
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		$ 6,436

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet_3

5. Consolidated Balance Sheet Details (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2009EUR (€)
Accounts receivable, trade, unbilled and retainage
Accounts receivable trade, gross		$ 369,295			$ 369,295		$ 129,644
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,989)			(1,989)		(1,362)
Accounts receivable trade, net		367,306			367,306		128,282
Secured accounts receivable		63,200			63,200		8,500
Accounts receivable, unbilled		136,734			136,734		441,666
Retainage		28,279			28,279		16,500
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage		165,013			165,013		458,166
Inventories and balance of systems parts
Raw materials		241,305			241,305		224,329
Work in process		51,926			51,926		41,294
Finished goods		436,113			436,113		252,372
Inventories		729,344			729,344		517,995
Inventories - current		576,770			576,770		387,912
Inventories - noncurrent		152,574			152,574		130,083
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Prepaid expenses		128,776			128,776		90,981
Prepaid income taxes		76,613			76,613		59,319
Restricted cash		32,416			32,416		19,671
Indirect tax receivables		28,238			28,238		26,327
Notes receivable - current		23,440			23,440		5,196
Derivative instruments		2,299			2,299		2,364
Other current assets		27,653			27,653		39,203
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		319,435			319,435		243,061
Notes receivable, affiliate		0			0		22,832
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		3,481,003			3,481,003		3,041,068
Accumulated depreciation		(1,374,035)			(1,374,035)		(1,284,857)
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,106,968			2,106,968		1,756,211
PV solar power systems, net
PV solar power systems, gross		531,869			531,869		343,061
Accumulated depreciation		(47,276)			(47,276)		(34,421)
PV solar power systems, net		484,593			484,593		308,640
Project assets
Project assets - development costs, including project acquisition and land costs		297,753			297,753		298,070
Project assets - construction costs		274,321			274,321		200,359
Total project assets		572,074			572,074		498,429
Project assets - current		5,557			5,557		37,930
Project assets - noncurrent		566,517			566,517		460,499
Capitalized interest
Interest cost incurred		(5,239)		$ (5,023)	(26,348)	$ (19,080)
Interest expense, net		(4,976)		(3,198)	(24,018)	(14,445)
Other assets
Operating lease assets		176,785			176,785		0
Indirect tax receivables		9,209			9,209		22,487
Notes receivable		8,003			8,003		8,017
Income taxes receivable		4,103			4,103		4,444
Equity method investments		2,917			2,917		3,186
Derivative instruments		449			449		0
Deferred rent		0			0		27,249
Other		46,249			46,249		33,495
Other assets		247,715			247,715		98,878
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments					0	247,595
Equity in earnings, net of tax		65		(3,233)	(205)	35,105
Distributions received from equity method investments					0	12,394
Net sales		546,806		676,220	1,663,740	1,552,803
Goodwill
Goodwill		14,462			14,462		14,462
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)					0
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross		111,858			111,858		111,608
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization		(45,073)			(45,073)		(37,446)
Intangibles assets, net		66,785			66,785		74,162
Amortization of intangible assets		2,600		2,500	7,600	7,400
Accrued expenses
Accrued project assets		85,285			85,285		147,162
Accrued property, plant and equipment		77,628			77,628		89,905
Accrued compensation and benefits		59,396			59,396		41,937
Accrued inventory		50,092			50,092		53,075
Product warranty liability		19,526			19,526		27,657
Other		85,437			85,437		81,844
Accrued expenses		377,364			377,364		441,580
Other current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities, current		11,221			11,221		0
Derivative instruments		3,239			3,239		7,294
Contingent consideration		350			350		665
Other		13,612			13,612		6,421
Other current liabilities		28,422			28,422		14,380
Other liabilities
Product warranty liability		118,379			118,379		193,035
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent		142,256			142,256		0
Other taxes payable		88,786			88,786		83,058
Transition tax liability		68,851			68,851		77,016
Deferred revenue, noncurrent		40,995			40,995		48,014
Derivative instruments		8,706			8,706		9,205
Contingent consideration		5,250			5,250		2,250
Other		51,126			51,126		55,261
Other liabilities		524,349			524,349		467,839
Developed Technology [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross		97,964			97,964		97,714
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization		(39,977)			(39,977)		(33,093)
Intangibles assets, net		57,987			57,987		64,621
Power Purchase Agreements [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross		6,486			6,486		6,486
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization		(892)			(892)		(648)
Intangibles assets, net		5,594			5,594		5,838
Patents [Member]
Intangibles assets, net
Intangible assets, gross		7,408			7,408		7,408
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization		(4,204)			(4,204)		(3,705)
Intangibles assets, net		3,204			3,204		3,703
Modules Segment [Member]
Other assets
Net sales		371,184		119,825	798,744	386,450
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross		407,827			407,827		407,827
Accumulated impairment loss		(393,365)			(393,365)		(393,365)
Goodwill		14,462			14,462		14,462
Goodwill from acquisition					0
Goodwill impairment					0
Maryland Solar Project [Member]
Other assets
Net sales	$ 32,000
Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Note Receivable Interest Rate										8.00%
Other assets
Notes receivable initial available amount | €										€ 17.5
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Depreciation		42,800		29,400	129,400	72,600
PV solar power systems [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Depreciation		5,900		3,500	12,900	11,800
Project Assets [Member]
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized - project assets		263		$ 1,825	2,330	4,635
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		14,176			14,176		14,382
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		658,510			658,510		567,605
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		2,166,391			2,166,391		1,826,434
Office equipment and furniture [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		186,852			186,852		178,011
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		49,018			49,018		49,055
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, gross		$ 406,056			406,056		405,581
Series 6 manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		15 years	10 years
Expected Annual Depreciation Reduction		$ 15,000
Clean Energy Collective, LLC [Member]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Notes receivable - current		$ 23,100			$ 23,100
Note Receivable Interest Rate									16.00%
Convertible Notes Receivable Interest Rate								10.00%
Notes receivable, affiliate							$ 22,800
8point3 Operating Company, LLC [Member]
Other assets
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	240,000
Equity in earnings, net of tax						39,700
Equity method investment, realized gain (loss) on disposal	$ 40,300
Distributions received from equity method investments						$ 12,400

6. Derivative Financial Instr_3

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Summary - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ 2,299	$ 2,364
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	230	158
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	2,069	2,206
Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	449
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	449
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(3,239)	(7,294)
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	180	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3,059	7,294
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(8,706)	(9,205)
Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	8,706	9,205
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	230	158
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	2,069	2,206
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	449
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	180	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,594	7,096
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	465	198
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 8,706	$ 9,205

6. Derivative Financial Instr_4

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Hedging Relationship - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 277	$ 1,205	$ 277	$ 1,205	$ 1,329	$ (1,723)
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)			153	(3,884)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Net sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net			(124)	1,698
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net			(1,081)	212
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	200		300
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Other (loss) income, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net				(546)
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		0		0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net		1,000		500
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss), net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net				5,448
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency gain (loss), net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	3,635	7,098	883	13,477
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	0	0	(1,656)	0
Interest rate swap contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest expense, net
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ (357)	$ 883	$ (10,089)	$ (1,284)

6. Derivative Financial Instr_5

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Risk Management $ in Millions, $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2018AUD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018JPY (¥)	May 31, 2018AUD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017JPY (¥)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maximum length of time hedged in foreign currency cash flow hedge	19 months	6 months
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	$ (0.1)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | United States of America, Dollars
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	31.6
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Australia, Dollars
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 6.2		$ 8.8
Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		72.9		$ 103.4		$ 42.4
Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative fixed interest rate paid on swap						2.0615%
Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative fixed interest rate paid on swap						3.202%
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Interest rate swap contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 176.7	$ 174.1	¥ 19.1		¥ 19.2		¥ 5.7
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate							0.75%
Derivative fixed interest rate paid on swap							1.482%

6. Derivative Financial Instr_6

6. Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Transaction Exposure - Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] € in Millions, ₨ in Millions, ¥ in Millions, RM in Millions, R$ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions, $ in Millions

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019EUR (€)

Dec. 31, 2018EUR (€)

Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2019SGD ($)

Sep. 30, 2019CLP ($)

Sep. 30, 2019AUD ($)

Sep. 30, 2019MYR (RM)

Sep. 30, 2019BRL (R$)

Sep. 30, 2019CAD ($)

Sep. 30, 2019MXN ($)

Sep. 30, 2019INR (₨)

Sep. 30, 2019JPY (¥)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018SGD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018CLP ($)

Dec. 31, 2018AUD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018MYR (RM)

Dec. 31, 2018BRL (R$)

Dec. 31, 2018CAD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018MXN ($)

Dec. 31, 2018INR (₨)

Dec. 31, 2018JPY (¥)

Derivative [Line Items]

Maximum Remaining Maturity of Foreign Currency Derivatives

3 months

Australia, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Derivative, Currency Sold

Australian dollar

Australian dollar

Brazil, Brazil Real

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Brazilian real

Brazilian real

Canada, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Canadian dollar

Derivative, Currency Sold

Canadian dollar

Canadian dollar

Chile, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Chilean peso

Derivative, Currency Sold

Chilean peso

Chilean peso

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Euro

Euro

Derivative, Currency Sold

Euro

Euro

India, Rupees

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Indian rupee

Derivative, Currency Sold

Indian rupee

Indian rupee

Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Japanese yen

Japanese yen

Derivative, Currency Sold

Japanese yen

Japanese yen

Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Derivative, Currency Sold

Malaysian ringgit

Malaysian ringgit

Mexico, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Sold

Mexican peso

Mexican peso

Singapore, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Currency Bought

Singapore dollar

Singapore dollar

Long [Member] | Australia, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

$ 9.6

$ 14.2

$ 1.5

$ 2.1

Long [Member] | Brazil, Brazil Real

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

2

R$ 8.5

2.2

R$ 8.5

Long [Member] | Canada, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

3.4

$ 4.5

Long [Member] | Chile, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

2.2

$ 1,632.3

Long [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

€ 138.3

€ 115.2

151.2

131.9

Long [Member] | India, Rupees

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

1.2

₨ 85.9

Long [Member] | Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

22.8

¥ 2,462.8

8.4

¥ 931.6

Long [Member] | Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

15.6

RM 65.5

8.3

RM 34.3

Long [Member] | Singapore, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

2.1

$ 2.9

2.8

$ 3.8

Short [Member] | Australia, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

4.9

$ 7.3

37.3

$ 52.9

Short [Member] | Canada, Dollars

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

1.2

$ 1.6

2.1

$ 2.9

Short [Member] | Chile, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

7.1

$ 5,180.1

5.1

$ 3,506.6

Short [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

€ 148.8

€ 191.8

162.7

219.7

Short [Member] | India, Rupees

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

23

₨ 1,621.4

11.3

₨ 789.2

Short [Member] | Japan, Yen

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

193.5

¥ 20,906.6

216.2

¥ 23,858.8

Short [Member] | Malaysia, Ringgits

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

20.5

RM 86

12.9

RM 53.8

Short [Member] | Mexico, Pesos

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative, Notional Amount

$ 1.8

$ 34.6

$ 1.9

$ 37.3

7. Leases (Details)

7. Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 5,788	$ 16,607
Variable lease cost	904	2,592
Short-term lease cost	1,118	6,818
Total lease cost	7,810	26,017
Payments of amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities		15,995
Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		172,760
Operating lease assets	176,785	176,785	$ 0
Operating lease liabilities, current	11,221	11,221	0
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent	$ 142,256	$ 142,256	$ 0
Weighted-average remaining lease term	17 years	17 years
Weighted-average discount rate	4.50%	4.50%
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, remainder of 2019	$ 4,534	$ 4,534
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2020	15,688	15,688
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2021	15,607	15,607
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2022	15,124	15,124
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due 2023	14,967	14,967
Operating lease liabilities, future payments, due after 2023	156,009	156,009
Total future payments	221,929	221,929
Future interest	(68,452)	(68,452)
Total lease liabilities	$ 153,477	$ 153,477

8. Fair Value Measurements (Det

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 661,552	$ 1,143,704
Restricted Investments	241,378	179,000
Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	361,414	318,646
Foreign government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	21,988	98,621
U.S debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	90,388	44,468
Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	187,762	681,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Restricted Investments	241,378	179,000
Derivative assets	2,748	2,364
Total assets	912,966	1,525,856
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	11,945	16,499
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	361,414	318,646
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	21,988	98,621
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	90,388	44,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	187,762	681,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	7,288	200,788
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted Investments	0	0
Derivative assets	0	0
Total assets	195,050	882,757
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	187,762	681,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	7,288	200,788
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted Investments	241,378	179,000
Derivative assets	2,748	2,364
Total assets	717,916	643,099
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	11,945	16,499
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	361,414	318,646
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	21,988	98,621
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	90,388	44,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Restricted Investments	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 [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign government obligations [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S debt [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Time deposits [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 0

8. Fair Value Measurements (D_2

8. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Balance Sheet Grouping - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Notes receivable - current	$ 23,440	$ 5,196
Notes receivable - noncurrent	8,003	8,017
Notes receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	0	22,832
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	490,859
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Notes receivable - current	23,440	5,196
Notes receivable - noncurrent	8,003	8,017
Notes receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	0	22,832
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	490,859	479,157
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Notes receivable - current	25,319	5,196
Notes receivable - noncurrent	9,974	8,010
Notes receivable, affiliate - noncurrent	0	24,295
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$ 511,027	$ 470,124

9. Debt (Details)

9. Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, $ in Millions, ₨ in Billions, ¥ in Billions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018AUD ($)

Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)

Oct. 31, 2018AUD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018AUD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018INR (₨)

Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2017JPY (¥)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016JPY (¥)

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015JPY (¥)

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 490,859

$ 479,157

Unamortized discount and issuance costs

(10,555)

(12,366)

Total long-term debt

480,304

466,791

Less current portion

(28,240)

(5,570)

Noncurrent portion

452,064

461,221

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Remainder of Fiscal Year

8,414

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two

29,052

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three

79,746

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four

15,850

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five

18,097

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five

339,700

Total long-term debt future principal payments

$ 490,859

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

USD

Revolving credit facility

$ 0

0

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

500,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

750,000

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

$ 52,700

66,000

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.30%

Fronting fee

0.125%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.02%

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements, plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.00% depending on the type of borrowing requested.

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.00%

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

2.00%

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

USD

Long-term debt, gross

$ 188,218

188,849

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | OPIC and IFC [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

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%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate

3.50%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

3.50%

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | OPIC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 140,900

141,400

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | IFC [Member] | Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

47,300

47,400

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] | OPIC and IFC [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

156,700

Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] | Variable Rate Term Loan [Member] | OPIC and IFC [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 31,500

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

JPY

Long-term debt, gross

$ 236,894

157,834

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 236,900

157,800

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 247,400

¥ 27.3

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Loan Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

Senior loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.75% (2)

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

0.75%

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Loan Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

217,500

24

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Consumption Tax Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

0.50%

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Consumption Tax Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

19,000

2.1

Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 10,900

¥ 1.2

Japan Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

JPY

Long-term debt, gross

$ 0

0

Japan Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | First Solar Japan GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

0

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 36,300

¥ 4

Tochigi Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

JPY

Long-term debt, gross

$ 37,572

25,468

Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

3-month TIBOR plus 1.0%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.00%

Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] | Mizuho Bank [Member] | First Solar Japan GK [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 37,600

25,500

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 63,400

¥ 7

Anantapur Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

INR

Long-term debt, gross

$ 15,285

16,101

Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] | J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.50%

Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] | J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] | Anantapur Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 15,300

16,100

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 17,100

₨ 1.2

Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

INR

Long-term debt, gross

$ 12,890

13,934

Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] | J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.50%

Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] | J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] | Tungabhadra Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 12,900

13,900

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 14,300

₨ 1

Beryl Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Debt instrument, currency

AUD

Long-term debt, gross

$ 0

76,971

Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] | FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term debt, gross

$ 88,000

77,000

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 96,200

$ 136.4

$ 103,200

$ 146.4

Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Construction Loans [Member] | MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] | FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

88,400

$ 125.4

Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Goods and Service Tax Facility [Member] | MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] | FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

4,900

7

Beryl Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit Facility [Member] | MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] | FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

$ 2,800

$ 4

10. Commitments and Contingen_3

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Commercial Commitments - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank Guarantees and Letters of Credit	$ 10.1
Surety Bonds	80.7
Surety Bond Capacity	635.2
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Letter of Credit Sub-Limit	400
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	52.7	$ 66
Letters of Credit, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	347.3
Bilateral Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	176.7
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Secured by Cash	33
Bilateral Facilities, Bank Guarantees and Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 535.7

10. Commitments and Contingen_4

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Product Warranties - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$ 217,991	$ 225,813	$ 220,692	$ 224,274
Accruals for new warranties issued	1,723	2,954	11,636	8,422
Settlements	(4,211)	(2,423)	(10,233)	(7,504)
Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	(77,598)	(940)	(84,190)	212
Product warranty liability, end of period	137,905	225,404	137,905	225,404
Current portion of warranty liability	19,526	33,595	19,526	33,595
Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	118,379	$ 191,809	$ 118,379	$ 191,809
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ (80,000)
Estimated Rate of Return for Module Warranty	1.00%		1.00%
Percentage Point Change in Estimated Rate of Return of Module Warranty	1.00%		1.00%
Estimated Change in Module Warranty from Sensitivity Analysis	$ 83,300		$ 83,300
Percentage Point Change in Estimated Rate of Return of Balance of Systems Warranty	1.00%		1.00%

10. Commitments and Contingen_5

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Performance Guarantees - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Energy Performance Testing Liability	$ 5.3	$ 0.4
Effective Availability Guarantee Liability	$ 0.1

10. Commitments and Contingen_6

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Indemnifications - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Indemnification liabilities, current	$ 2.1
Indemnification liabilities, noncurrent	3	$ 3
Indemnification liabilities, maximum exposure	135.8
Indemnification liabilities, potential insurance recoveries	$ 84.9

10. Commitments and Contingen_7

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Contingent Consideration - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Project Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Liability, Current	$ 0.4	$ 0.7
Project Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Liability, Noncurrent	$ 5.3	$ 2.3

10. Commitments and Contingen_8

10. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Solar Module Collection and Recycling Liability - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Change in Estimate of Module Collection and Recycling Liability	$ 34,200
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability		$ 134,985	$ 134,442
Percentage increase in annualized inflation rate		1.00%
Estimated increase in solar module collection recycling liability from sensitivity analysis		$ 25,800
Percentage decrease in annualized inflation rate		1.00%
Estimated decrease in solar module collection recycling liability from sensitivity analysis		$ 21,800

11. Revenue from Contracts wi_3

11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)Projects	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Projects	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)Projects	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Projects	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 546,806	$ 676,220	$ 1,663,740	$ 1,552,803
Project Change in Estimate Disclosure Threshold			$ 1,000
Number of Projects with Changes in Estimates | Projects	4	2	4	23
(Decrease) increase in Revenue from Net Changes in Transaction Prices	$ (2,435)	$ 6,672	$ 3,649	$ 54,653
Decrease in Revenue from Net Changes in Input Cost Estimates	(6,676)	(2,948)	(15,645)	(13,070)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Revenue from Net Changes in Estimates	$ (9,111)	$ 3,724	$ (11,996)	$ 41,583
Net Change in Estimate as a Percentage of Aggregate Revenue	(0.60%)	0.30%	(1.60%)	0.40%
Increase in Revenue from Net Changes in Indirect Tax Estimates				$ 54,600
Accounts receivable, unbilled	$ 136,734		$ 136,734		$ 441,666
Retainage	28,279		28,279		16,500
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage	165,013		165,013		458,166
Contract Asset, Net Change			$ (293,153)
Contract Asset, Percent Change			(64.00%)
Deferred Revenue	134,278		$ 134,278		177,769
Contract Liability, Net Change			$ (43,491)
Contract Liability, Percent Change			(24.00%)
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	40,995		$ 40,995		$ 48,014
Sales Revenue Net, from Beginning Contract Liability			123,200	71,900
Solar Modules [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	371,184	$ 119,825	798,744	386,450
Remaining Performance Obligation, Transaction Price	4,000,000		4,000,000
Solar Power Systems [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	79,792	386,237	454,841	850,306
EPC Services [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	47,219	134,369	287,270	203,941
O&M Services [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	28,245	25,431	82,397	76,572
Remaining Performance Obligation, Transaction Price	$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Period of Recognition	9 years 4 months 24 days		9 years 4 months 24 days
Energy Generation [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 20,366	$ 10,358	$ 40,488	$ 35,534
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligation, Transaction Price	$ 300,000		$ 300,000
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member] | Phoebe [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligations, Percent of Revenue Recognized	98.00%		98.00%
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member] | GA Solar 4 [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligations, Percent of Revenue Recognized	43.00%		43.00%
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member] | Seabrook [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligations, Percent of Revenue Recognized	41.00%		41.00%
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member] | Japan (multiple locations) [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligations, Percent of Revenue Recognized	0.00%		0.00%
Solar Power Systems, Sales of and EPC Services [Member] | Troy Solar [Member]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Line Items]
Remaining Performance Obligations, Percent of Revenue Recognized	0.00%		0.00%

12. Share-Based Compensation (D

12. Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 9,626	$ 7,551	$ 25,408	$ 26,787
Allocated share-based compensation expense, gross	9,677	7,579	25,058	26,451
Net amount (absorbed into) released from inventory	(51)	(28)	350	336
Employee service share-based compensation, capitalized in inventory	1,400		1,400		$ 1,800
Restricted and performance stock units [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	9,298	7,200	23,921	25,193
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized	44,100		$ 44,100
Employee service share-based compensation, unrecognized compensation costs on nonvested awards, weighted average period of recognition (in years)			1 year 2 months 12 days
Unrestricted stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	379	379	$ 1,137	1,258
Cost of sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	1,719	1,612	5,520	5,148
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	6,243	4,620	15,627	16,884
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	1,525	1,319	4,067	4,383
Production start-up [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 139	$ 0	$ 194	$ 372

13. Income Taxes (Details)

13. Income Taxes (Details)	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	12.10%	(84.80%)
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate		21.00%

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Sha_3

14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 30,622	$ 57,750	$ (55,525)	$ 92,210
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	105,397	104,804	105,272	104,711
Effect of restricted and performance stock units and stock purchase plan shares	830	1,359	0	1,500
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share	106,227	106,163	105,272	106,211
Net income (loss) per share, basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.55	$ (0.53)	$ 0.88
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$ 0.29	$ 0.54	$ (0.53)	$ 0.87
Anti-dilutive shares	0	603	787	394

15. Accumulated Other Compreh_3

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 5,135,124	$ 5,110,827	$ 5,212,403	$ 5,098,697
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	5,068	(17,411)	(12,661)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	7,402	(4,934)	14,948	(37,430)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	5,182,483	5,170,956	5,182,483	5,170,956
Cost of sales	408,443	547,093	1,448,083	1,258,936
Other (loss) income, net	(3,399)	(5,971)	(4,328)	7,635
Net sales	546,806	676,220	1,663,740	1,552,803
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	1,209	(2,383)	3,107	(2,478)
(Loss) income before taxes and equity in earnings	45,592	63,379	(29,935)	64,962
Total amount reclassified	0	(5,068)	17,411	12,661
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			(66,380)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(5,055)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,190)
Net tax effect			0
Net other comprehensive (loss) income			(6,245)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	(72,625)		(72,625)
Total amount reclassified			1,190
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Cost of sales	0	0	1,190	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			10,641
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			36,648
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(15,016)
Net tax effect			184
Net other comprehensive (loss) income			21,816
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	32,457		32,457
Total amount reclassified			15,016
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Restricted Investments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Other (loss) income, net	0	0	15,016	19,473
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			1,273
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			153
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,205)
Net tax effect			429
Net other comprehensive (loss) income			(623)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	650		650
Total amount reclassified			1,205
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
(Loss) income before taxes and equity in earnings	0	(5,068)	1,205	(6,812)
Total, Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	(46,920)	(30,237)	(54,466)	2,259
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			31,746
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(17,411)
Net tax effect			613
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	7,402	(4,934)	14,948	(37,430)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	(39,518)	(35,171)	(39,518)	(35,171)
Total amount reclassified			17,411
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Cost of sales	0	(212)	1,081	(212)
Other (loss) income, net	0	546	0	546
Net sales	0	46	124	(1,698)
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	$ 0	$ (5,448)	$ 0	$ (5,448)

16. Segment Reporting (Details)

16. Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)segments	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segments			2
Net sales	$ 546,806	$ 676,220	$ 1,663,740	$ 1,552,803
Gross profit (loss)	138,363	129,127	215,657	293,867
Depreciation and amortization expense	44,691	29,807	133,654	67,165
Goodwill	14,462		14,462		$ 14,462
Modules Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	371,184	119,825	798,744	386,450
Gross profit (loss)	147,806	(5,654)	134,293	(21,927)
Depreciation and amortization expense	38,063	25,539	118,448	52,802
Goodwill	14,462		14,462		14,462
Systems Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	175,622	556,395	864,996	1,166,353
Gross profit (loss)	(9,443)	134,781	81,364	315,794
Depreciation and amortization expense	6,628	$ 4,268	15,206	$ 14,363
Goodwill	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0