Sunpower (SPWRQ) 10-Q 6 May 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Apr. 29, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 3, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	SUNPOWER CORP
Entity Central Index Key	867,773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,720
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		138,046,057

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Apr. 03, 2016		Jan. 03, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 555,178		$ 954,528
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current portion		24,572		24,488
Accounts receivable, net		177,443	[1]	190,448
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		56,503	[1]	38,685
Inventories		386,787		382,390
Advances to suppliers, current portion		95,421		85,012
Project assets - plants and land, current portion1		662,868	[1]	479,452
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		415,128	[1]	359,517
Total current assets		2,373,900		2,514,520
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, net of current portion		43,470		41,748
Restricted long-term marketable securities		6,560		6,475
Property, plant and equipment, net		802,944	[2]	731,230
Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net	[3],[4]	561,534		531,520
Project assets - plants and land, net of current portion		5,900		5,072
Advances to suppliers, net of current portion		251,763		274,085
Long-term financing receivables, net		378,802		334,791
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		110,715		119,577
Other long-term assets		299,267	[1]	297,975
Total assets		4,834,855		4,856,993
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		530,178	[1]	514,654
Accrued liabilities1		283,502	[1]	313,497
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		142,210		115,739
Short-term debt		63,348		21,041
Customer advances, current portion		35,307	[1]	33,671
Total current liabilities		1,054,545		998,602
Long-term debt		498,197		478,948
Convertible debt, net of current portion		1,111,466	[1]	1,110,960
Customer advances, net of current portion		119,423	[1]	126,183
Other long-term liabilities1		562,723	[1]	564,557
Total liabilities		$ 3,346,354		$ 3,279,250
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		$ 78,818		$ 69,104
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016		0		0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 367,500,000 shares authorized; 147,356,818 shares issued, and 138,027,294 outstanding as of April 3, 2016; 145,242,705 shares issued, and 136,712,339 outstanding as of January 3, 2016		138		137
Additional paid-in capital		2,376,771		2,359,917
Accumulated deficit		(833,026)		(747,617)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(12,599)		(8,023)
Treasury stock, at cost; 9,329,524 shares of common stock as of April 3, 2016; 8,530,366 shares of common stock as of January 3, 2016		(174,142)		(155,265)
Total stockholders' equity		1,357,142		1,449,149
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		52,541		59,490
Total equity		1,409,683		1,508,639
Total liabilities and equity		$ 4,834,855		$ 4,856,993
[1]	The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total and its affiliates as well as unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related-party balances are recorded within the "Accounts Receivable, net," "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," "Project assets - plants and land, current portion," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Accrued Liabilities", "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 6, Note 9, Note 10, and Note 11).
[2]	Property, plant and equipment, net by geography is based on the physical location of the assets.
[3]	2 As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, the Company had pledged solar assets with an aggregate book value of $94.1 million and zero, respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations.
[4]	Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net are physically located exclusively in the United States.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Apr. 03, 2016	Jan. 03, 2016
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	367,500,000	367,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	147,356,818	145,242,705
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	138,027,294	136,712,339
Common stock held in treasury	9,329,524	8,530,366

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Solar power systems, components, and other	$ 328,700	$ 401,213
Residential leasing	56,175	39,658
Revenue	384,875	440,871
Solar power systems, components, and other	290,241	319,648
Residential leasing	43,097	30,405
Cost of revenue	333,338	350,053
Gross margin	51,537	90,818
Operating expenses:
Research and development	32,706	21,168
Sales, general and administrative	97,791	77,214
Restructuring charges	96	3,581
Total operating expenses	130,593	101,963
Operating loss	(79,056)	(11,145)
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income	697	556
Interest expense	(12,881)	(15,681)
Other, net	(6,232)	(2,620)
Other expense, net	(18,416)	(17,745)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	(97,472)	(28,890)
Provision for income taxes	(3,181)	(2,351)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	(764)	2,191
Net loss	(101,417)	(29,050)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	16,008	19,469
Net loss attributable to stockholders	$ (85,409)	$ (9,581)
Net loss per share attributable to stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.07)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.07)
Weighted-average shares:
Basic (in shares)	137,203	132,033
Diluted (in shares)	137,203	132,033

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (101,417)	$ (29,050)
Components of comprehensive loss:
Translation adjustment	1,419	(2,003)
Net change in derivatives (Note 11)	(6,745)	(4,188)
Net gain (loss) on long-term pension liability adjustment	0
Income taxes	750	111
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,576)	(6,080)
Total comprehensive loss	(105,993)	(35,130)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	16,008	19,469
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders	$ (89,985)	$ (15,661)

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - 3 months ended Apr. 03, 2016 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Parent [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Shares issued, beginning of period at Jan. 03, 2016				136,711
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period at Jan. 03, 2016	$ 1,508,639	$ 69,104	$ 1,449,149	$ 137	$ 2,359,917	$ (155,265)	$ (8,023)	$ (747,617)	$ 59,490
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(101,417)
Net loss	(86,457)	(14,960)	(85,409)						(1,048)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,576)		(4,576)				(4,576)
Issuance of restricted stock to employees, net of cancellations (in shares)				2,114
Issuance of restricted stock to employees, net of cancellations	2		2	$ 2	0
Stock-based compensation expense	16,854		16,854		16,854
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	(2,134)	26,216							(2,134)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	24,082
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,767)	(1,542)							(3,767)
Purchases of treasury stock (in shares)				(799)
Purchases of treasury stock	(18,878)		(18,878)	$ 1		(18,877)
Shares issued, end of period at Apr. 03, 2016				138,026
Stockholders' equity, end of period at Apr. 03, 2016	$ 1,409,683	$ 78,818	$ 1,357,142	$ 138	$ 2,376,771	$ (174,142)	$ (12,599)	$ (833,026)	$ 52,541

Consolidated Statements of Equ7

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parentheticals)	Dec. 28, 2014
Bond Hedge [Member]
Interest rate	4.75%
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
Interest rate	4.75%

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (101,417,000)	$ (29,050,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	42,117,000	28,563,000
Stock-based compensation	16,520,000	13,546,000
Non-cash interest expense	346,000	4,680,000
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated investees	764,000	(2,191,000)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	(572,000)
Deferred income taxes	(1,169,000)	(5,078,000)
Other, net	890,000	855,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	12,561,000	32,735,000
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	(17,525,000)	140,970,000
Inventories	(18,248,000)	(108,072,000)
Project assets	(179,376,000)	(93,150,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(45,034,000)	(25,090,000)
Long-term financing receivables, net	(44,011,000)	(29,198,000)
Advances to suppliers	11,913,000	13,903,000
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(69,974,000)	(51,781,000)
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	26,866,000	5,621,000
Customer advances	(5,124,000)	(10,099,000)
Net cash used in operating activities	(369,901,000)	(113,408,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(1,806,000)	(18,828,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(47,044,000)	(24,564,000)
Cash paid for solar power systems, leased and to be leased	(23,238,000)	(19,403,000)
Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners LP attributable to real estate projects and residential lease portfolio	(9,968,000)	0
Cash paid for investments in unconsolidated investees	(9,752,000)	0
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	0	(526,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(91,808,000)	(63,321,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash paid for repurchase of convertible debt	0	(324,273,000)
Proceeds from settlement of 4.50% Bond Hedge	0	74,628,000
Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse residential financing, net of issuance costs	28,339,000	0
Repayment of non-recourse residential financing	(1,065,000)	(10,944,000)
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt	79,440,000	90,718,000
Repayment of bank loans, project loans and other debt	(7,725,000)	(7,946,000)
Repayment of non-recourse power plant and commercial financing	(37,301,000)	(90,000)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	24,082,000	45,890,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests	(5,309,000)	(2,260,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	3,000
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	572,000
Purchases of stock for tax withholding obligations on vested restricted stock	(18,876,000)	(38,704,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	61,585,000	(172,406,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	774,000	(5,467,000)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(399,350,000)	(354,602,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	954,528,000	956,175,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	555,178,000	601,573,000
Non-cash transactions:
Assignment of residential lease receivables to third parties	1,097,000	1,307,000
Costs of solar power systems, leased and to be leased, sourced from existing inventory	15,085,000	14,664,000
Costs of solar power systems, leased and to be leased, funded by liabilities	9,050,000	6,388,000
Costs of solar power systems under sale-leaseback financing arrangements, sourced from project assets	0	1,050,000
Property, plant and equipment acquisitions funded by liabilities	81,369,000	20,185,000
Net reclassification of cash proceeds offset by project assets in connection with the deconsolidation of assets sold to the 8point3 Group	$ 8,726,000	$ 0

Consolidated Statements of Cas9

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals)	Apr. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member]
Interest rate		4.75%
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Interest rate	4.50%
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member]
Interest rate		4.50%
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
Interest rate		4.75%

The Company and Summary of Sign

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company SunPower Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company" or "SunPower") is a leading global energy company that delivers complete solar solutions to residential, commercial, and power plant customers worldwide through an array of hardware, software, and financing options and through utility-scale solar power system construction and development capabilities, operations and maintenance ("O&M") services, and "Smart Energy" solutions. SunPower's Smart Energy initiative is designed to add layers of intelligent control to homes, buildings and grids—all personalized through easy-to-use customer interfaces. Of all the solar cells commercially available to the mass market, the Company believes its solar cells have the highest conversion efficiency, a measurement of the amount of sunlight converted by the solar cell into electricity. SunPower Corporation is a majority owned subsidiary of Total Energies Nouvelles Activités USA ("Total"), a subsidiary of Total S.A. ("Total S.A.") (see Note 2 ). The Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, as the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), has organized the Company, manages resource allocations and measures performance of the Company's activities among three end-customer segments: (i) Residential Segment, (ii) Commercial Segment and (iii) Power Plant Segment. The Residential and Commercial Segments combined are referred to as Distributed Generation. The Company’s Residential Segment refers to sales of solar energy solutions to residential end customers through a variety of means, including cash sales and long-term leases directly to end customers, sales to resellers, including the Company's third-party global dealer network, and sales of the Company's O&M services. The Company’s Commercial Segment refers to sales of solar energy solutions to commercial and public entity end customers through a variety of means, including direct sales of turn-key engineering, procurement and construction ("EPC") services, sales to the Company's third-party global dealer network, sales of energy under power purchase agreements ("PPAs"), and sales of the Company's O&M services. The Power Plant Segment refers to the Company's large-scale solar products and systems business, which includes power plant project development and project sales, EPC services for power plant construction, power plant O&M services and component sales for power plants developed by third parties, sometimes on a multi-year, firm commitment basis. Basis of Presentation and Preparation Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("United States" or "U.S.") and include the accounts of the Company, all of its subsidiaries and special purpose entities, as appropriate under consolidation accounting guidelines. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the special purpose entities that the Company establishes in connection with certain project financing arrangements for customers are not designed to be available to service the general liabilities and obligations of the Company. Reclassifications Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation in the Company's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit. Fiscal Years The Company has a 52-to-53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Accordingly, every fifth or sixth year will be a 53-week fiscal year. The current fiscal year, fiscal 2016, is a 52-week fiscal year, while fiscal year 2015 was a 53-week fiscal year and had a 14-week fourth fiscal quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2016 ended on April 3, 2016 , while the first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended on March 29, 2015 . The first quarters of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were both 13-week quarters. Management Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in these consolidated financial statements include percentage-of-completion for construction projects; allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and sales returns; inventory and project asset write-downs; stock-based compensation; estimates for future cash flows and economic useful lives of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, valuations for business combinations, other intangible assets, investments, and other long-term assets; the fair value and residual value of solar power systems; fair value of financial instruments; valuation of contingencies and certain accrued liabilities such as accrued warranty; and income taxes and tax valuation allowances and indemnities. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to the standards to simplify the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued an update to the standards to require lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (lease terms of more than 12 months) at the commencement date. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued an update to the standards to require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and upon adoption, an entity should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet at the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Early adoption is permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued an update to the standards to simplify the measurement of inventory. The updated standard more closely aligns the measurement of inventory with that of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and amends the measurement standard from lower of cost or market to lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and requires a prospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update to the standards to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of defined benefit obligation and plan assets for reporting entities with fiscal year-ends that do not coincide with a month-end. The updated standard allows such entities to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year and to all plans, if an entity has more than one plan. The Company elected early adoption of the updated accounting standard, effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and measured its defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of December 31, 2015, the calendar month-end closest to the Company’s fiscal year-end. The adoption of this updated accounting standard did not have a significant impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued a new standard that modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The Company adopted the new accounting standard, effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Adoption of the new accounting standard did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued a new revenue recognition standard based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) clarify the application of the principal versus agent guidance; and ii) clarify the guidance relating to performance obligations and licensing. The new revenue recognition standard, amended by the updates, becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is to be applied retrospectively using one of two prescribed methods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the available methods and the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Other than as described above, there has been no issued accounting guidance not yet adopted by the Company that it believes is material or potentially material to its consolidated financial statements.

Transactions with Total and Tot

Transactions with Total and Total S.A.	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Transactions with Total and Total S.A.	TRANSACTIONS WITH TOTAL AND TOTAL S.A. In June 2011, Total completed a cash tender offer to acquire 60% of the Company's then outstanding shares of common stock at a price of $23.25 per share, for a total cost of approximately $1.4 billion . In December 2011, the Company entered into a Private Placement Agreement with Total, under which Total purchased, and the Company issued and sold, 18.6 million shares of the Company's common stock for a purchase price of $8.80 per share, thereby increasing Total's ownership to approximately 66% of the Company's outstanding common stock as of that date. As of April 3, 2016 , through the increase of the Company's total outstanding common stock due to the exercise of warrants and issuance of restricted and performance stock units, Total's ownership of the Company's outstanding common stock has decreased to approximately 57% . Credit Support Agreement On April 28, 2011, the Company and Total S.A. entered into a Credit Support Agreement (the "Credit Support Agreement") under which Total S.A. agreed to enter into one or more guarantee agreements (each a "Guaranty") with banks providing letter of credit facilities to the Company. Total S.A. will guarantee the Company's obligation to reimburse the applicable issuing bank for a draw on a letter of credit and pay interest thereon in accordance with the letter of credit facility between such bank and the Company. Under the Credit Support Agreement, the Company may also request that Total S.A. provide a Guaranty in support of the Company's payment obligations with respect to a letter of credit facility. The Company is required to pay Total S.A. a guarantee fee for each letter of credit that is the subject of a Guaranty under the Credit Support Agreement and was outstanding for all or part of the preceding calendar quarter. The Credit Support Agreement was amended on June 7, 2011, it became effective on June 28, 2011 in connection with the completion of the Tender Offer (the "CSA Effective Date"), and it was further amended on each of December 12, 2011 and December 14, 2012. The Credit Support Agreement will terminate following the fifth anniversary of the CSA Effective Date, after the later of the payment in full of all obligations thereunder and the termination or expiration of each Guaranty provided thereunder. Affiliation Agreement The Company and Total have entered into an Affiliation Agreement that governs the relationship between Total and the Company (the "Affiliation Agreement"). Until the expiration of a standstill period specified in the Affiliation Agreement (the "Standstill Period"), and subject to certain exceptions, Total, Total S.A., any of their respective affiliates and certain other related parties (collectively the "Total Group") may not effect, seek, or enter into discussions with any third-party regarding any transaction that would result in the Total Group beneficially owning shares of the Company in excess of certain thresholds, or request the Company or the Company's independent directors, officers or employees, to amend or waive any of the standstill restrictions applicable to the Total Group. The Affiliation Agreement imposes certain limitations on the Total Group's ability to seek to effect a tender offer or merger to acquire 100% of the outstanding voting power of the Company and imposes certain limitations on the Total Group's ability to transfer 40% or more of the outstanding shares or voting power of the Company to a single person or group that is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of Total S.A. During the Standstill Period, no member of the Total Group may, among other things, solicit proxies or become a participant in an election contest relating to the election of directors to the Company's Board of Directors. The Affiliation Agreement provides Total with the right to maintain its percentage ownership in connection with any new securities issued by the Company, and Total may also purchase shares on the open market or in private transactions with disinterested stockholders, subject in each case to certain restrictions. The Affiliation Agreement also imposes certain restrictions with respect to the Company's and its Board of Directors' ability to take certain actions, including specifying certain actions that require approval by the directors other than the directors appointed by Total and other actions that require stockholder approval by Total. Research & Collaboration Agreement Total and the Company have entered into a Research & Collaboration Agreement (the "R&D Agreement") that establishes a framework under which the parties engage in long-term research and development collaboration ("R&D Collaboration"). The R&D Collaboration encompasses a number of different projects, with a focus on advancing the Company's technology position in the crystalline silicon domain, as well as ensuring the Company's industrial competitiveness. The R&D Agreement enables a joint committee to identify, plan and manage the R&D Collaboration. Compensation and Funding Agreement In February 2012, the Company entered into a Compensation and Funding Agreement (the "Compensation and Funding Agreement") with Total S.A. that established the parameters for the terms of liquidity injections that may be required to be provided by Total S.A. to the Company from time to time. During the term of the Compensation and Funding Agreement, the Company is required to pay Total S.A. a guarantee fee in an amount equal to 2.75% per annum of the average amount of the Company's indebtedness that is guaranteed by Total S.A. pursuant to any guaranty issued in accordance with the terms of the Compensation and Funding Agreement during such quarter. Any payment obligations of the Company to Total S.A. under the Compensation and Funding Agreement that are not paid when due accrue interest until paid in full at a rate equal to 6 -month U.S. LIBOR as in effect from time to time plus 5.00% per annum. Upfront Warrant In February 2012, the Company issued a warrant (the "Upfront Warrant") to Total S.A. to purchase 9,531,677 shares of the Company's common stock with an exercise price of $7.8685 , subject to adjustment for customary anti-dilution and other events. The Upfront Warrant, which is governed by the Private Placement Agreement and the Compensation and Funding Agreement, is exercisable at any time for seven years after its issuance, provided that, so long as at least $25.0 million in aggregate of the Company's convertible debt remains outstanding, such exercise will not cause "any person," including Total S.A., to, directly or indirectly, including through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries, become the "beneficial owner" (as such terms are defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), of more than 74.99% of the voting power of the Company's common stock at such time, a circumstance which would trigger the repurchase or conversion of the Company's existing convertible debt. 0.75% Debentures Due 2018 In May 2013, the Company issued $300.0 million in principal amount of its 0.75% senior convertible debentures due 2018 (the "0.75% debentures due 2018"). $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 0.75% debentures due 2018 were acquired by Total. The 0.75% debentures due 2018 are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at any time based on an initial conversion price equal to $24.95 per share, which provides Total the right to acquire up to 8,017,420 shares of the Company's common stock. The applicable conversion rate may adjust in certain circumstances, including a fundamental change, as described in the indenture governing the 0.75% debentures due 2018 (see Note 10 ). 0.875% Debentures Due 2021 In June 2014, the Company issued $400.0 million in principal amount of its 0.875% senior convertible debentures due 2021 (the "0.875% debentures due 2021"). An aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million of the 0.875% debentures due 2021 were acquired by Total. The 0.875% debentures due 2021 are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at any time based on an initial conversion price equal to $48.76 per share, which provides Total the right to acquire up to 5,126,775 shares of the Company's common stock. The applicable conversion rate may adjust in certain circumstances, including a fundamental change, as described in the indenture governing the 0.875% debentures due 2021 (see Note 10 ). 4.00% Debentures Due 2023 In December 2015, the Company issued $425.0 million in principal amount of its 4.00% senior convertible debentures due 2023 (the "4.00% debentures due 2023"). An aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million of the 4.00% debentures due 2023 were acquired by Total. The 4.00% debentures due 2023 are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at any time based on an initial conversion price equal to $30.53 per share, which provides Total the right to acquire up to 3,275,680 shares of the Company's common stock. The applicable conversion rate may adjust in certain circumstances, including a fundamental change, as described in the indenture governing the 4.00% debentures due 2023 (see Note 10 ). Joint Projects with Total and its Affiliates: The Company enters into various EPC and O&M agreements relating to solar projects, including EPC and O&M services agreements relating to projects owned or partially owned by Total and its affiliates. As of April 3, 2016 , the Company had $41.1 million of "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings" and $2.4 million of "Accounts receivable, net" on its Consolidated Balance Sheets related to projects in which Total and its affiliates have a direct or indirect material interest. Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue: EPC, O&M, and components revenue under joint projects $ 40,927 $ 755 Research and development expense: Offsetting contributions received under the R&D Agreement $ — $ (422 ) Interest expense: Guarantee fees incurred under the Credit Support Agreement $ 1,646 $ 2,726 Interest expense incurred on the 0.75% debentures due 2018 $ 375 $ 375 Interest expense incurred on the 0.875% debentures due 2021 $ 547 $ 547 Interest expense incurred on the 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 1,000 n/a

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill under the Company's reportable business segments: (In thousands) Residential Commercial Power Plant Total As of January 3, 2016 $ 32,180 $ 10,314 $ 15,641 $ 58,135 Adjustments to goodwill — (570 ) — (570 ) As of April 3, 2016 $ 32,180 $ 9,744 $ 15,641 $ 57,565 Other Intangible Assets The following tables present details of the Company's acquired other intangible assets: (In thousands) Gross Accumulated Amortization Net As of April 3, 2016 Patents and purchased technology $ 48,619 $ (8,504 ) $ 40,115 Project pipeline assets 9,446 — 9,446 Purchased in-process research and development 3,700 (111 ) 3,589 Other 500 (500 ) — $ 62,265 $ (9,115 ) $ 53,150 As of January 3, 2016 Patents and purchased technology $ 53,499 $ (5,328 ) $ 48,171 Project pipeline assets 9,446 — 9,446 Purchased in-process research and development 3,700 — 3,700 Other 500 $ (375 ) 125 $ 67,145 $ (5,703 ) $ 61,442 Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets totaled $8.3 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , respectively. As of April 3, 2016 , the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite useful lives is as follows: (In thousands) Amount Fiscal Year 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 12,844 2017 11,854 2018 12,014 2019 8,902 2020 6,317 $ 51,931

Balance Sheet Components

Balance Sheet Components	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Components	BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accounts receivable, net: Accounts receivable, gross 1,2 $ 196,720 $ 207,860 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (17,493 ) (15,505 ) Less: allowance for sales returns (1,784 ) (1,907 ) $ 177,443 $ 190,448 1 Includes short-term financing receivables associated with solar power systems leased of $14.1 million and $12.5 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively (see Note 5 ). 2 Includes short-term retainage of $15.7 million and $11.8 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. Retainage refers to the earned, but unbilled, portion of a construction and development project for which payment is deferred by the customer until certain contractual milestones are met. As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Inventories: Raw materials $ 104,177 $ 124,297 Work-in-process 108,050 131,258 Finished goods 174,560 126,835 $ 386,787 $ 382,390 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Deferred project costs $ 117,027 $ 67,479 VAT receivables, current portion 12,487 14,697 Deferred costs for solar power systems to be leased 46,032 40,988 Derivative financial instruments 5,819 8,734 Prepaid inventory 50,615 50,615 Other receivables 81,821 78,824 Other prepaid expenses 101,139 98,180 Other current assets 188 — $ 415,128 $ 359,517 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Project assets - plants and land: Project assets — plants $ 664,365 $ 479,108 Project assets — land 4,403 5,416 $ 668,768 $ 484,524 Project assets - plants and land, current portion $ 662,868 $ 479,452 Project assets - plants and land, net of current portion $ 5,900 $ 5,072 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Property, plant and equipment, net: Manufacturing equipment 1 $ 630,085 $ 556,963 Land and buildings 32,134 32,090 Leasehold improvements 388,545 244,098 Solar power systems 2 141,986 141,075 Computer equipment 109,090 103,443 Furniture and fixtures 11,216 10,640 Construction-in-process 116,828 247,511 1,429,884 1,335,820 Less: accumulated depreciation (626,940 ) (604,590 ) $ 802,944 $ 731,230 1 The Company's mortgage loan agreement with International Finance Corporation ("IFC") is collateralized by certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of $77.2 million and $85.1 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. 2 Includes $110.4 million of solar power systems associated with sale-leaseback transactions under the financing method as of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , which are depreciated using the straight-line method to their estimated residual values over the lease terms of up to 20 years (see Note 5 ). As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Property, plant and equipment, net by geography 1 : Philippines $ 525,306 $ 460,420 United States 204,402 201,419 Mexico 47,932 44,164 Europe 23,178 22,962 Other 2,126 2,265 $ 802,944 $ 731,230 1 Property, plant and equipment, net by geography is based on the physical location of the assets. As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Other long-term assets: Equity method investments $ 177,534 $ 186,405 Cost method investments 45,602 36,369 Other 76,131 75,201 $ 299,267 $ 297,975 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accrued liabilities: Employee compensation and employee benefits 41,019 59,476 Deferred revenue 19,393 19,887 Short-term residential lease financing 13,340 7,395 Interest payable 11,828 8,165 Short-term warranty reserves 8,971 16,639 Restructuring reserve 1,614 1,823 VAT payables 2,899 4,225 Derivative financial instruments 10,811 2,316 Inventory payable 50,615 50,615 Liability due to 8point3 Energy Partners — 9,952 Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners attributable to pre-COD projects 4,887 — Other 118,125 133,004 $ 283,502 $ 313,497 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Other long-term liabilities: Deferred revenue $ 178,903 $ 179,779 Long-term warranty reserves 157,469 147,488 Long-term sale-leaseback financing 126,230 125,286 Long-term residential lease financing with 8point3 Energy Partners 29,400 29,389 Unrecognized tax benefits 42,839 43,297 Long-term pension liability 13,142 12,014 Derivative financial instruments 948 1,033 Other 13,792 26,271 $ 562,723 $ 564,557 As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Cumulative translation adjustment $ (9,745 ) $ (11,164 ) Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (803 ) 5,942 Net loss on long-term pension liability adjustment (2,055 ) (2,055 ) Deferred taxes 4 (746 ) $ (12,599 ) $ (8,023 )

Leasing

Leasing	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leasing	LEASING Residential Lease Program The Company offers a solar lease program, which provides U.S. residential customers with SunPower systems under 20 -year lease agreements that include system maintenance and warranty coverage. Leases are classified as either operating or sales-type leases in accordance with the relevant accounting guidelines. Operating Leases The following table summarizes "Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net" under operating leases on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 : As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net 1,2 : Solar power systems leased $ 573,628 $ 543,358 Solar power systems to be leased 39,811 34,319 613,439 577,677 Less: accumulated depreciation (51,905 ) (46,157 ) $ 561,534 $ 531,520 1 Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net are physically located exclusively in the United States. 2 As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had pledged solar assets with an aggregate book value of $94.1 million and zero , respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations. The following table presents the Company's minimum future rental receipts on operating leases placed in service as of April 3, 2016 : (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service 1 $ 13,037 18,625 18,662 18,699 18,738 264,210 $ 351,971 1 Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives nor does it include rent receivables on operating leases sold to the 8point3 Group. Sales-Type Leases As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company's net investment in sales-type leases presented in "Accounts receivable, net" and "Long-term financing receivables, net" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Financing receivables 1 : Minimum lease payments receivable 2 $ 416,559 $ 366,759 Unguaranteed residual value 55,699 50,722 Unearned income (79,385 ) (70,155 ) Net financing receivables $ 392,873 $ 347,326 Current $ 14,071 $ 12,535 Long-term $ 378,802 $ 334,791 1 As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had pledged financing receivables of $69.5 million and zero , respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations. 2 Net of allowance for doubtful accounts. As of April 3, 2016 , future maturities of net financing receivables for sales-type leases are as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Scheduled maturities of minimum lease payments receivable 1 $ 15,537 20,716 20,887 21,066 21,249 317,104 $ 416,559 1 Minimum future rentals on sales-type leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives. Sale-Leaseback Arrangements The Company enters into sale-leaseback arrangements under which solar power systems are sold to third parties and subsequently leased back by the Company over minimum lease terms of up to 20 years . Separately, the Company enters into PPAs with end customers, who host the leased solar power systems and buy the electricity directly from the Company under PPAs with terms of up to 25 years . At the end of the lease term, the Company has the option to purchase the systems at fair value or may be required to remove the systems and return them to the third parties. The Company has classified its sale-leaseback arrangements of solar power systems not involving integral equipment as operating leases. The deferred profit on the sale of these systems is recognized over the term of the lease. As of April 3, 2016 , future minimum lease obligations associated with these systems was $84.8 million , which will be recognized over the minimum lease terms. Future minimum payments to be received from customers under PPAs associated with the solar power systems under sale-leaseback arrangements classified as operating leases will be recognized over the lease terms of up to 20 years and are contingent upon the amounts of energy produced by the solar power systems. The Company enters into certain sale-leaseback arrangements under which the systems subject to the sale-leaseback arrangements have been determined to be integral equipment as defined under the accounting guidance for such transactions. The Company has continuing involvement with the solar power systems throughout the lease due to purchase option rights in the arrangements. As a result of such continuing involvement, the Company accounts for each of these transactions as a financing. Under the financing method, the proceeds received from the sale of the solar power systems are recorded by the Company as financing liabilities. The financing liabilities are subsequently reduced by the Company's payments to lease back the solar power systems, less interest expense calculated based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate adjusted to the rate required to prevent negative amortization. The solar power systems under the sale-leaseback arrangements remain on the Company's balance sheet and are classified within "Property, plant and equipment, net" (see Note 4 ). As of April 3, 2016 , future minimum lease obligations for the sale-leaseback arrangements accounted for under the financing method were $102.5 million , which will be recognized over the lease terms of up to 20 years. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 the Company had net financing proceeds of zero and $0.6 million , respectively, in connection with these sale-leaseback arrangements. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 the carrying amount of the sale-leaseback financing liabilities, presented in "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $126.2 million and $125.3 million , respectively (see Note 4 ).

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement (observable inputs are the preferred basis of valuation): • Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2 — Measurements are inputs that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included within Level 1. • Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require management inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during any presented period. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis requiring Level 3 inputs as of April 3, 2016 or January 3, 2016 . The following table summarizes the Company's assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 : April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1 : Money market funds $ 160,859 $ 160,859 $ — $ 540,000 $ 540,000 $ — Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 5,819 — 5,819 8,734 — 8,734 Total assets $ 166,678 $ 160,859 $ 5,819 $ 548,734 $ 540,000 $ 8,734 Liabilities Accrued liabilities: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 10,811 — 10,811 2,316 — 2,316 Other long-term liabilities: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 948 — 948 1,033 — 1,033 Total liabilities $ 11,759 $ — $ 11,759 $ 3,349 $ — $ 3,349 1 The Company's cash equivalents consist of money market fund instruments and commercial paper that are classified as available-for-sale and are highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. The Company's money market fund instruments are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets. Other financial instruments, including the Company's accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are carried at cost, which generally approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis The Company measures certain investments and non-financial assets (including project assets, property, plant and equipment, and other intangible assets) at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods after initial measurement in circumstances when the fair value of such asset is impaired below its recorded cost. Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities The Company's debt securities, classified as held-to-maturity, are Philippine government bonds that the Company maintains as collateral for business transactions within the Philippines. These bonds have various maturity dates and are classified as "Restricted long-term marketable securities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 these bonds had a carrying value of $6.6 million and $6.5 million , respectively. The Company records such held-to-maturity investments at amortized cost based on its ability and intent to hold the securities until maturity. The Company monitors for changes in circumstances and events that would affect its ability and intent to hold such securities until the recorded amortized costs are recovered. No other-than-temporary impairment loss was incurred during any presented period. The held-to-maturity debt securities were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Equity and Cost Method Investments The Company holds equity investments in non-consolidated entities that are accounted for under both the equity and cost method. The Company monitors these investments, which are included in "Other long-term assets" in its Consolidated Balance Sheets, for impairment and records reductions in the carrying values when necessary. Circumstances that indicate an other-than-temporary decline include Level 2 and Level 3 measurements such as the valuation ascribed to the issuing company in subsequent financing rounds, decreases in quoted market prices, and declines in the results of operations of the issuer. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had $177.5 million and $186.4 million , respectively, in investments accounted for under the equity method (see Note 9 ). As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had $45.6 million and $36.4 million respectively, in investments accounted for under the cost method.

Restructuring

Restructuring	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	RESTRUCTURING During fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2014, the Company implemented approved restructuring plans, related to all segments, to align with changes in the global solar market which included the consolidation of the Company's Philippine manufacturing operations as well as actions to accelerate operating cost reduction and improve overall operating efficiency. These restructuring activities were substantially complete as of April 3, 2016 ; however, the Company expects to continue to incur costs as it finalizes previous estimates and actions in connection with these plans, primarily due to other costs, such as legal services. The following table summarizes the restructuring charges recognized in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Cumulative To Date Non-cash impairment charges $ — $ — $ 61,320 Severance and benefits — 1,931 61,599 Lease and related termination costs — — 6,984 Other costs 1 96 1,650 13,633 Total restructuring charges $ 96 $ 3,581 $ 143,536 The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity during the three months ended April 3, 2016 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) January 3, 2016 Charges (Benefits) Payments April 3, 2016 Severance and benefits $ 395 $ — $ 16 $ 411 Lease and related termination costs 743 — (127 ) 616 Other costs 1 685 96 (194 ) 587 Total restructuring liability $ 1,823 $ 96 $ (305 ) $ 1,614 1 Other costs primarily represent associated legal services and costs of relocating employees.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Facility and Equipment Lease Commitments The Company leases certain facilities under non-cancellable operating leases from unaffiliated third parties. As of April 3, 2016 , future minimum lease payments for facilities under operating leases were $47.5 million , to be paid over the remaining contractual terms of up to 8 years . The Company also leases certain buildings, machinery and equipment under non-cancellable capital leases. As of April 3, 2016 , future minimum lease payments for assets under capital leases were $5.9 million , to be paid over the remaining contractual terms of up to 7 years . Purchase Commitments The Company purchases raw materials for inventory and manufacturing equipment from a variety of vendors. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help assure adequate supply, the Company enters into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers that either allow them to procure goods and services based on specifications defined by the Company, or that establish parameters defining the Company's requirements. In certain instances, these agreements allow the Company the option to cancel, reschedule or adjust the Company's requirements based on its business needs before firm orders are placed. Consequently, not all of the Company's disclosed purchase commitments arising from these agreements are firm, non-cancellable, and unconditional commitments. The Company also has agreements with several suppliers, including some of its non-consolidated investees, for the procurement of polysilicon, ingots, wafers, and Solar Renewable Energy Credits, among others, which specify future quantities and pricing of products to be supplied by the vendors for periods up to 10 years and provide for certain consequences, such as forfeiture of advanced deposits and liquidated damages relating to previous purchases, in the event that the Company terminates the arrangements. Future purchase obligations under non-cancellable purchase orders and long-term supply agreements as of April 3, 2016 are as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total 1,2,3 Future purchase obligations $ 839,386 350,325 200,475 175,696 161,832 3,000 $ 1,730,714 1 Total future purchase obligations as of April 3, 2016 include $181.2 million to related parties. 2 Total future purchase obligations were composed of $249.3 million related to non-cancellable purchase orders and $1.5 billion related to long-term supply agreements. 3 During fiscal 2015, we did not fulfill all of the purchase commitments we were otherwise obligated to take by December 31, 2015, as specified in related contracts with a supplier. As of April 3, 2016 , the Company has recorded an offsetting asset, recorded within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," and liability, recorded within "Accrued liabilities," totaling $50.6 million . This amount represents the unfulfilled amount as of that date as the Company expects to satisfy the obligation via purchases of inventory in fiscal 2016, within the applicable contractual cure period. The Company expects that all obligations related to non-cancellable purchase orders for manufacturing equipment will be recovered through future cash flows of the solar cell manufacturing lines and solar panel assembly lines when such long-lived assets are placed in service. Factors considered important that could result in an impairment review include significant under-performance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets, and significant negative industry or economic trends. Obligations related to non-cancellable purchase orders for inventories match current and forecasted sales orders that will consume these ordered materials and actual consumption of these ordered materials are compared to expected demand regularly. The Company anticipates total obligations related to long-term supply agreements for inventories will be recovered because quantities are less than management's expected demand for its solar power products. The terms of the long-term supply agreements are reviewed by management and the Company assesses the need for any accruals for estimated losses on adverse purchase commitments, such as lower of cost or market value adjustments that will not be recovered by future sales prices, forfeiture of advanced deposits and liquidated damages, as necessary. Advances to Suppliers As noted above, the Company has entered into agreements with various vendors, some of which are structured as "take or pay" contracts, that specify future quantities and pricing of products to be supplied. Certain agreements also provide for penalties or forfeiture of advanced deposits in the event the Company terminates the arrangements. Under certain agreements, the Company was required to make prepayments to the vendors over the terms of the arrangements. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , advances to suppliers totaled $347.2 million and $359.1 million , respectively, of which $95.4 million and $85.0 million , respectively, is classified as short-term in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Two suppliers accounted for 84% and 15% of total advances to suppliers, respectively, as of April 3, 2016 , and 82% and 16% , respectively, as of January 3, 2016 . Advances from Customers The Company has entered into other agreements with customers who have made advance payments for solar power products and systems. These advances will be applied as shipments of product occur or upon completion of certain project milestones. The estimated utilization of advances from customers as of April 3, 2016 is as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Estimated utilization of advances from customers $ 19,267 36,319 27,039 28,842 43,263 — $ 154,730 In fiscal 2010, the Company and its joint venture, AUO SunPower Sdn. Bhd. ("AUOSP"), entered into an agreement under which the Company resells to AUOSP polysilicon purchased from a third-party supplier. Advance payments provided by AUOSP related to such polysilicon are then made by the Company to the third-party supplier. These advance payments are applied as a credit against AUOSP’s polysilicon purchases from the Company. Such polysilicon is used by AUOSP to manufacture solar cells that are sold to the Company on a "cost-plus" basis. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , outstanding advance payments received from AUOSP totaled $143.2 million and $148.9 million , respectively, of which $23.8 million and $22.7 million , respectively, was classified as short-term in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on projected product shipment dates. Product Warranties The following table summarizes accrued warranty activity for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , respectively: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Balance at the beginning of the period $ 164,127 $ 154,648 Accruals for warranties issued during the period 5,879 8,161 Settlements and adjustments during the period (3,566 ) (8,711 ) Balance at the end of the period $ 166,440 $ 154,098 Contingent Obligations Project agreements entered into with the Company's Commercial and Power Plant customers often require the Company to undertake obligations including: (i) system output performance warranties; (ii) system maintenance; (iii) penalty payments or customer termination rights if the system the Company is constructing is not commissioned within specified timeframes or other milestones are not achieved; and (iv) system put-rights whereby the Company could be required to buy back a customer's system at fair value on specified future dates if certain minimum performance thresholds are not met for specified periods. Historically, the Company's systems have performed significantly above the performance warranty thresholds, and there have been no cases in which the Company has had to buy back a system. Future Financing Commitments The Company is required to provide certain funding under the joint venture agreement with AU Optronics Singapore Pte. Ltd. ("AUO") and other unconsolidated investees, subject to certain conditions (see Note 9 ). As of April 3, 2016 , the Company's financing obligations related to these agreements are as follows: (In thousands) Amount Year 2016 (remaining 9 months) 179,632 2017 3,169 $ 182,801 Liabilities Associated with Uncertain Tax Positions Total liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions were $42.8 million and $43.3 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. These amounts are included in "Other long-term liabilities" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in their respective periods as they are not expected to be paid within the next 12 months. Due to the complexity and uncertainty associated with its tax positions, the Company cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period in which cash settlement, if any, would be made for its liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions in other long-term liabilities. Indemnifications The Company is a party to a variety of agreements under which it may be obligated to indemnify the counterparty with respect to certain matters. Typically, these obligations arise in connection with contracts and license agreements or the sale of assets, under which the Company customarily agrees to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of warranties, representations and covenants related to such matters as title to assets sold, negligent acts, damage to property, validity of certain intellectual property rights, non-infringement of third-party rights, and certain tax related matters including indemnification to customers under §48(c) solar commercial investment tax credit ("ITC") and U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury Department") grant payments under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (each a "Cash Grant"). In each of these circumstances, payment by the Company is typically subject to the other party making a claim to the Company that is contemplated by and valid under the indemnification provisions of the particular contract, which provisions are typically contract-specific, as well as bringing the claim under the procedures specified in the particular contract. These procedures usually allow the Company to challenge the other party's claims or, in case of breach of intellectual property representations or covenants, to control the defense or settlement of any third party claims brought against the other party. Further, the Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of activity (typically to replace or correct the products or terminate the agreement with a refund to the other party), duration and/or amounts. In some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties and/or insurance covering certain payments made by the Company. In certain circumstances the Company has provided indemnification to customers and investors under which the Company is contractually obligated to compensate these parties for losses they may suffer as a result of reductions in benefits received under ITC and Treasury Cash Grant programs. The Company applies for ITC and Cash Grant incentives based on guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and the Treasury Department, which include assumptions regarding the fair value of the qualified solar power systems, among others. Certain of the Company’s development agreements, sale-leaseback arrangements, and financing arrangements with tax equity investors, incorporate assumptions regarding the future level of incentives to be received, which in some instances may be claimed directly by its customers and investors. Generally, such obligations would arise as a result of reductions to the value of the underlying solar power systems as assessed by the IRS. At each balance sheet date, the Company assesses and recognizes, when applicable, the potential exposure from these obligations based on all the information available at that time, including any audits undertaken by the IRS. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could have to make under this obligation would depend on the difference between the eligible basis claimed on the tax filing for the solar energy systems sold or transferred to indemnified parties and the values that the IRS may redetermine as the eligible basis for the systems for purposes of claiming ITCs or U.S. Treasury grants. The Company uses eligible basis for tax filing purposes determined with the assistance of independent third-party appraisals to determine the ITCs that are passed-through to and claimed by the indemnified parties. Since the Company cannot determine future revisions to Treasury Department guidelines governing system values, how the IRS will evaluate system values used in claiming ITCs, or U.S. Treasury grants, or how its customers and investors have utilized these benefits in their own filings, the Company is unable to reliably estimate the maximum potential future payments that it could have to make under the Company’s contractual investor obligation as of each reporting date. Defined Benefit Pension Plans The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans for the majority of its non-U.S. employees. Benefits under these plans are generally based on an employee’s years of service and compensation. Funding requirements are determined on an individual country and plan basis and are subject to local country practices and market circumstances. The funded status of the pension plans, which represents the difference between the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets, is calculated on a plan-by-plan basis. The benefit obligation and related funded status are determined using assumptions as of the end of each fiscal year. The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its pension plans as an asset or liability on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the underfunded status of the Company’s pension plans, presented in "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $13.1 million and $12.0 million , respectively. The impact of transition assets and obligations and actuarial gains and losses are recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss", and are generally amortized as a component of net periodic cost over the average remaining service period of participating employees. Total other comprehensive gain related to the Company’s benefit plans was zero for the three months ended April 3, 2016 . Legal Matters Tax Benefit Indemnification Litigation On March 19, 2014, a lawsuit was filed by NRG Solar LLC, now known as NRG Renew LLC (“NRG”), against SunPower Corporation, Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“SunPower Systems”), in the Superior Court of Contra Costa County, California. The complaint asserts that, according to the indemnification provisions in the contract pertaining to SunPower Systems’ sale of a large California solar project to NRG, SunPower Systems owes NRG $75.0 million in connection with certain tax benefits associated with the project that were approved by the Treasury Department for an amount that was less than expected. The Company does not believe that the facts support NRG’s claim under the operative indemnification provisions and is vigorously contesting the claim. Additionally, SunPower Systems filed a cross-complaint against NRG seeking damages in excess of $7.5 million for breach of contract and related claims arising from NRG’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the contract, including its obligation to take “reasonable, available steps” to engage the Treasury Department. The Company is currently unable to determine if the resolution of this matter will have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. First Philec Arbitration On January 28, 2015, an arbitral tribunal of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce issued a first partial award in the matter of an arbitration between First Philippine Electric Corporation ("FPEC") and First Philippine Solar Corporation ("FPSC") against SunPower Philippines Manufacturing, Ltd. ("SPML"), our wholly-owned subsidiary. FPSC is a joint venture of FPEC and SPML for the purpose of slicing silicon wafers from ingots. The tribunal found SPML in breach of its obligations under its supply agreement with FPSC, and in breach of its joint venture agreement with FPEC. In its first partial award, the tribunal ordered that (i) SPML must purchase FPEC’s interests in FPSC for an aggregate of $30.3 million , and (ii) after completing the purchase of FPEC’s controlling interest in FPSC, SPML must pay FPSC damages in the amount of $25.2 million . The arbitral tribunal issued its second partial award dated July 14, 2015, which ordered that (i) the price payable by SPML to FPEC for its interests in FPSC be reduced from $30.3 million to $23.2 million , (ii) FPEC’s request for interest is refused, and (iii) the payment and transfer of shares between FPEC and SPML is to take place in accordance with the procedure agreed between the parties. The tribunal issued its final award dated September 30, 2015, which ordered that (i) each side should bear its own costs and attorneys' fees, and (ii) the arbitration costs should be split between the parties evenly. SPML has filed a challenge to both the first and second partial awards with the High Court in Hong Kong. The hearing on the challenge is scheduled for June 14 and 15, 2016 in Hong Kong. SPML has also filed applications to the Court in the Philippines to: (i) prevent FPSC or FPEC from enforcing the awards pending the outcome of the challenge in Hong Kong; and (ii) gain access to FPSC's books and records. The application to prevent enforcement of the award has not been ruled on. The application for access was granted, and the inspection of FPSC's books is ongoing. As of April 3, 2016 , the Company recorded an accrual of $48.4 million related to this matter based on the Company's best estimate of probable loss. AUO Arbitration On April 17, 2015, SunPower Technology Ltd. ("SPTL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, commenced an arbitration before the ICC International Court of Arbitration against AUO and AU Optronics Corporation, the ultimate parent company of AUO ("AUO Corp.," and together with AUO, the “AUO Group”), for breaches of the AUOSP Joint Venture Agreement and associated agreements (the "JVA"). SPTL’s claim alleges that, among other things, the AUO Group has sold solar modules containing cells manufactured by AUOSP in violation of provisions in the JVA that set geographical restrictions on sales activities as well as provisions that restrict each party’s use of the other’s confidential information. SPTL seeks approximately $23.0 million in damages, as well as the right to purchase AUO's shares in SPTL at 70% of “fair market value” determined as provided under the JVA. On June 23, 2015, the AUO Group filed and served its formal Memorial of Claim and Counterclaims against SPTL and the Company (collectively, the "SunPower Group"). In its counterclaim, the AUO Group alleges breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, several tort causes of action, and improper use of the AUO Group’s proprietary manufacturing expertise. The AUO Group seeks $20.0 million in lost profits and $48.0 million in disgorgement from the SunPower Group, and an order requiring SPTL to purchase AUO’s shares in SPTL at 150% of “fair market value” determined as provided under the JVA. The hearing for the arbitration has not been set. Depending upon the outcome of this matter and other related factors, it is possible that SPTL's investment in AUOSP may not be fully recoverable. Based on the significant uncertainties that currently exist, the Company is currently unable to determine whether the resolution of this matter will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Other Litigation The Company is also a party to various other litigation matters and claims that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business. While the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company, their outcomes are not determinable and negative outcomes may adversely affect the Company's financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Debt and Credit Sources

Debt and Credit Sources	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Credit Sources	DEBT AND CREDIT SOURCES The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheets: April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Face Value Short-term Long-term Total Face Value Short-term Long-term Total Convertible debt: 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 425,000 $ — $ 416,525 $ 416,525 $ 425,000 $ — $ 416,369 $ 416,369 0.875% debentures due 2021 400,000 — 396,584 396,584 400,000 — 396,424 396,424 0.75% debentures due 2018 300,000 — 298,357 298,357 300,000 — 298,167 298,167 IFC mortgage loan 25,000 14,993 9,366 24,359 32,500 14,994 16,778 31,772 CEDA loan 30,000 — 27,898 27,898 30,000 — 27,778 27,778 Non-recourse financing and other debt 1 506,713 47,214 456,181 503,395 435,963 4,642 429,981 434,623 $ 1,686,713 $ 62,207 $ 1,604,911 $ 1,667,118 $ 1,623,463 $ 19,636 $ 1,585,497 $ 1,605,133 1 Other debt excludes payments related to capital leases, which are disclosed in Note 8 . As of April 3, 2016 , the aggregate future contractual maturities of the Company's outstanding debt, at face value, were as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Aggregate future maturities of outstanding debt $ 53,391 34,564 334,750 20,198 29,841 1,213,969 $ 1,686,713 Convertible Debt The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding convertible debt: April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Carrying Value Face Value Fair Value 1 Carrying Value Face Value Fair Value 1 Convertible debt: 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 416,525 $ 425,000 $ 432,663 $ 416,369 $ 425,000 $ 515,903 0.875% debentures due 2021 396,584 400,000 $ 310,180 396,424 400,000 340,500 0.75% debentures due 2018 298,357 300,000 321,000 298,167 300,000 396,792 $ 1,111,466 $ 1,125,000 $ 1,063,843 $ 1,110,960 $ 1,125,000 $ 1,253,195 1 The fair value of the convertible debt was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quarterly market prices as reported by an independent pricing source. The Company's outstanding convertible debentures are senior, unsecured obligations of the Company, ranking equally with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. 4.00% Debentures Due 2023 In December 2015, the Company issued $425.0 million in principal amount of its 4.00% debentures due 2023. Interest is payable semi-annually, beginning on July 15, 2016. Holders may exercise their right to convert the debentures at any time into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price approximately equal to $30.53 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If not earlier repurchased or converted, the 4.00% debentures due 2023 mature on January 15, 2023. 0.875% Debentures Due 2021 In June 2014, the Company issued $400.0 million in principal amount of its 0.875% debentures due 2021. Interest is payable semi-annually, beginning on December 1, 2014. Holders may exercise their right to convert the debentures at any time into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price approximately equal to $48.76 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If not earlier repurchased or converted, the 0.875% debentures due 2021 mature on June 1, 2021. 0.75% Debentures Due 2018 In May 2013, the Company issued $300.0 million in principal amount of its 0.75% debentures due 2018. Interest is payable semi-annually, beginning on December 1, 2013. Holders may exercise their right to convert the debentures at any time into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price approximately equal to $24.95 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If not earlier repurchased or converted, the 0.75% debentures due 2018 mature on June 1, 2018. 4.50% Debentures Due 2015 In 2010, the Company issued $250.0 million in principal amount of its 4.50% senior cash convertible debentures ("4.50% debentures due 2015"). Interest was payable semi-annually, beginning on September 15, 2010. The 4.50% debentures due 2015 were convertible only into cash, and not into shares of the Company's common stock (or any other securities) at a conversion price of $22.53 per share. The 4.50% debentures due 2015 matured on March 15, 2015. During March 2015, the Company paid holders an aggregate of $324.3 million in cash in connection with the settlement of the outstanding 4.50% debentures due 2015. No 4.50% debentures due 2015 remained outstanding after the maturity date. The embedded cash conversion option was a derivative instrument (derivative liability) that was required to be separated from the 4.50% debentures due 2015. The fair value of the derivative liability is classified within "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liability were reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations until the 4.50% debentures due 2015 matured in March 2015. During the three months ended March 29, 2015 , the Company recognized a non-cash loss of $52.0 million , recorded in "Other, net" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations to recognize the change in fair value prior to the expiration of the embedded cash conversion option. Call Spread Overlay with Respect to 4.50% Debentures Concurrently with the issuance of the 4.50% debentures due 2015, the Company entered into privately-negotiated convertible debenture hedge transactions (collectively, the "4.50% Bond Hedge") and warrant transactions (collectively, the "4.50% Warrants" and together with the 4.50% Bond Hedge, the “CSO2015” transactions), with certain of the initial purchasers of the 4.50% debentures due 2015 or their affiliates. The CSO2015 transactions represented a call spread overlay with respect to the 4.50% debentures due 2015, whereby the cost of the 4.50% Bond Hedge purchased by the Company to cover the cash outlay upon conversion of the debentures is reduced by the sales prices of the 4.50% Warrants. The transactions effectively reduced the Company's potential payout over the principal amount on the 4.50% debentures due 2015 upon conversion of the 4.50% debentures due 2015. Under the terms of the 4.50% Bond Hedge, the Company bought options to acquire, at an exercise price of $22.53 per share, subject to customary adjustments for anti-dilution and other events, cash in an amount equal to the market value of up to 11.1 million shares of the Company's common stock. Each 4.50% Bond Hedge was a separate transaction, entered into by the Company with each counterparty, and was not part of the terms of the 4.50% debentures due 2015. The 4.50% Bond Hedge, which was indexed to the Company's common stock, was a derivative instrument that required mark-to-market accounting treatment due to the cash settlement features until the 4.50% Bond Hedge settled in March 2015. During March 2015, the Company exercised its rights under the 4.50% Bond Hedge, resulting in a payment to the Company of $74.6 million . During the three months ended March 29, 2015 , the Company recognized a non-cash gain of $52.0 million , recorded in "Other, net" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations related to recognize the change in fair value before settlement of the 4.50% Bond Hedge. In connection with the 4.50% Warrants, the Company entered into warrant confirmations (collectively, and as amended from time to time, the “2015 Warrant Confirms”) with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Credit Suisse International providing for the acquisition, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, of up to approximately 11.1 million shares of the Company's common stock via net share settlement. Each 4.50% Warrant transaction was a separate transaction, entered into by the Company with each counterparty, and was not part of the terms of the 4.50% debentures due 2015. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into separate partial unwind agreements with each of Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch; Bank of America, N.A.; Barclays Bank PLC; and Credit Suisse International in order to reduce the number of warrants issued pursuant to the 2015 Warrant Confirms. Pursuant to the terms of these partial unwind agreements, the Company issued an aggregate of approximately 3.0 million shares of common stock to settle all of the warrants under the 2015 Warrant Confirms. Accordingly, as of April 3, 2016 , no 4.50% Warrants remained outstanding. Other Debt and Credit Sources Mortgage Loan Agreement with IFC In May 2010, the Company entered into a mortgage loan agreement with IFC. Under the loan agreement, the Company borrowed $75.0 million and is required to repay the amount borrowed starting two years after the date of borrowing, in 10 equal semi-annual installments. The Company is required to pay interest of LIBOR plus 3% per annum on outstanding borrowings; a front-end fee of 1% on the principal amount of borrowings at the time of borrowing; and a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum on funds available for borrowing and not borrowed. The Company may prepay all or a part of the outstanding principal, subject to a 1% prepayment premium. The Company has pledged certain assets as collateral supporting its repayment obligations (see Note 4 ). As of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $9.2 million related to the IFC debt service reserve, which is the amount, as determined by IFC, equal to the aggregate principal and interest due on the next succeeding interest payment date. Loan Agreement with California Enterprise Development Authority ("CEDA") In 2010, the Company borrowed the proceeds of the $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of CEDA's tax-exempt Recovery Zone Facility Revenue Bonds (SunPower Corporation - Headquarters Project) Series 2010 (the "Bonds") maturing April 1, 2031 under a loan agreement with CEDA. The Bonds mature on April 1, 2031, bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.50% through maturity, and include customary covenants and other restrictions on the Company. Revolving Credit Facility with Credit Agricole In July 2013, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with Credit Agricole, as administrative agent, and certain financial institutions, under which the Company may borrow up to $250.0 million . On August 26, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to the revolving credit facility that, among other things, extends the maturity date of the facility from July 3, 2016 to August 26, 2019 (the "Maturity Date"). Amounts borrowed may be repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date. On February 17, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement, expanding the available borrowings under the revolving credit facility to $300.0 million and adding a $200.0 million letter of credit subfacility, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The revolving credit facility includes representations, covenants, and events of default customary for financing transactions of this type. The revolving credit facility was entered into in conjunction with the delivery by Total S.A. of a guarantee of the Company's obligations under the related facility. On January 31, 2014, as contemplated by the facility, (i) the Company's obligations under the facility became secured by a pledge of certain accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) certain of the Company's subsidiaries entered into guarantees of the facility; and (iii) Total S.A.'s guarantee of the Company's obligations under the facility expired. After January 31, 2014, the Company is required to pay interest on outstanding borrowings and fees of (a) with respect to any LIBOR rate loan, an amount ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% (depending on the Company's leverage ratio from time to time) plus the LIBOR rate divided by a percentage equal to one minus the stated maximum rate of all reserves required to be maintained against "Eurocurrency liabilities" as specified in Regulation D; (b) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, an amount ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% (depending on the Company's leverage ratio from time to time) plus the greater of (1) the prime rate, (2) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% , and (3) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1% ; and (c) a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.35% (depending on the Company's leverage ratio from time to time) per annum on funds available for borrowing and not borrowed. The Company will be required to pay interest on letters of credit under the agreement of (a) with respect to any performance letter of credit, an amount ranging from 0.90% to 1.20% (depending on the Company’s leverage ratio from time to time); and (b) with respect to any other letter of credit, an amount ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% (depending on the Company’s leverage ratio from time to time). As of April 3, 2016 , the Company had $37.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, all of which were related to letters of credit. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of January 3, 2016 . August 2011 Letter of Credit Facility with Deutsche Bank In August 2011, the Company entered into a letter of credit facility agreement with Deutsche Bank, as administrative agent, and certain financial institutions. Payment of obligations under the letter of credit facility is guaranteed by Total S.A. pursuant to the Credit Support Agreement (see Note 2). The letter of credit facility provides for the issuance, upon request by the Company, of letters of credit by the issuing banks thereunder in order to support certain obligations of the Company. Aggregate letter of credit amounts may be increased upon the agreement of the parties but, otherwise, may not exceed (i) $936.0 million for the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, and (ii) $1.0 billion for the period from January 1, 2016 through June 28, 2016. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , letters of credit issued and outstanding under the August 2011 letter of credit facility with Deutsche Bank totaled $266.4 million and $294.5 million , respectively. September 2011 Letter of Credit Facility with Deutsche Bank Trust In September 2011, the Company entered into a letter of credit facility with Deutsche Bank Trust which provides for the issuance, upon request by the Company, of letters of credit to support obligations of the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200.0 million . Each letter of credit issued under the facility is fully cash-collateralized and the Company has entered into a security agreement with Deutsche Bank Trust, granting them a security interest in a cash collateral account established for this purpose. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Deutsche Bank Trust facility amounted to $8.8 million and $8.6 million , respectively, which were fully collateralized with restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Non-recourse Financing and Other Debt In order to facilitate the construction, sale or ongoing operation of certain solar projects, including the Company's residential leasing program, the Company regularly obtains project-level financing. These financings are secured either by the assets of the specific project being financed or by the Company's equity in the relevant project entity and do not have recourse to the general assets of the Company for repayment of such debt obligations, and hence are referred to as non-recourse. Non-recourse financing is typically in the form of loans from third-party financial institutions, but also takes other forms, including "partnership flip" structures, sale-leaseback arrangements, or other forms commonly used in the solar or similar industries. The Company may seek non-recourse financing covering solely the construction period of the solar project or may also seek financing covering part or all of the operating life of the solar project. The Company classifies non-recourse financings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with their terms; however, in certain circumstances, the Company may repay or refinance these financings prior to stated maturity dates in connection with the sale of the related project or similar such circumstances. In addition, in certain instances, the customer may assume the loans at the time that the project entity is sold to the customer. In these instances, subsequent debt assumption is reflected as a financing outflow and operating inflow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to reflect the substance of the assumption as a facilitation of customer financing from a third party. The following presents a summary of the Company's non-recourse financing arrangements, including arrangements that are not classified as debt: Aggregate Carrying Value (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Balance Sheet Classification Residential Lease Program Bridge loans $ 18,422 $ — Short-term debt and Long-term debt Long-term loans 176,340 171,752 Short-term debt and Long-term debt Financing arrangements with third parties 42,740 36,784 Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities Tax equity partnership flip facilities 131,359 128,594 Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and non-controlling interests in subsidiaries Power Plant and Commercial Projects Stanford and Turlock credit facility $ 84,307 $ — Short-term debt and Long-term debt Henrietta credit facility 216,691 216,691 Short-term debt and Long-term debt Hooper credit facility — 37,269 Short-term debt and Long-term debt Arizona loan 8,081 8,113 Short-term debt and Long-term debt For the Company’s residential lease program, non-recourse financing is typically accomplished by aggregating an agreed-upon volume of solar power systems and leases with residential customers into a specific project entity. The Company has entered into the following non-recourse financings with respect to its residential lease program: In fiscal 2016, the Company entered into bridge loans to finance solar power systems and leases under its residential lease program. The loans are repaid over terms ranging from two to seven years. Some loans may be prepaid without penalties at the Company's option at any time, while other loans may be prepaid, subject to a prepayment fee, after one year. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 , the Company had net proceeds of $17.0 million in connection with these loans. As of April 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of these loans, presented in "Short-term debt" and "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $18.4 million . In fiscal 2014 and 2015 the Company entered into long-term loans to finance solar power systems and leases under its residential lease program. The loans are repaid over their terms of between 17 and 18 years, and may be prepaid without penalty at the Company’s option beginning seven years after the original issuance of the loan. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , the Company had net proceeds (repayments) of $3.2 million and $(0.4) million , respectively, in connection with these loans. As of April 3, 2016 , and January 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of these loans, presented in "Short-term debt" and "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $176.3 million and $171.8 million , respectively. The Company has entered into multiple arrangements under which solar power systems are financed by third-party investors or customers, including by a legal sale of the underlying asset that is accounted for as a borrowing under relevant accounting guidelines as the requirements to recognize the transfer of the asset were not met. Under the terms of these arrangements the third parties make an upfront payment to the Company, which the Company recognizes as a liability that will be reduced over the term of the arrangement as lease receivables and government incentives are received by the third party. As the liability is reduced, the Company makes a corresponding reduction in receivables. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , the Company had net proceeds (repayments) of $7.1 million and $(10.5) million , respectively, in connection with these facilities. As of April 3, 2016 , and January 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of these facilities, presented in "Accrued liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $42.7 million and $36.8 million , respectively (see Note 4 ). The Company also enters into third-party financing facilities with tax equity investors under which the investors invest in these entities in a structure known as a partnership flip. The Company holds controlling interests in these less-than-wholly-owned entities and therefore fully consolidates these entities. The Company accounts for the portion of net assets in the consolidated entities attributable to the investors as noncontrolling interests in its consolidated financial statements. Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling interest holder are classified accordingly as redeemable, between liabilities and equity on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 the Company had net contributions of $18.8 million and $43.6 million , respectively, under these facilities and attributed losses of $16.7 million and $19.6 million , respectively, to the non-controlling interests corresponding principally to certain assets, including tax credits, that were allocated to the non-controlling interests during the periods. As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of these facilities, presented in “Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries” and “Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $131.4 million and $128.6 million , respectively. For the Company’s power plant and commercial solar projects, non-recourse financing is typically accomplished using an individual solar power system or a series of solar power systems with a common end customer, in each case owned by a specific project entity. The Company has entered into the following non-recourse financings with respect to its power plant and commercial projects: In fiscal 2016, the Company entered into a long-term credit facility to finance several related utility-scale power plant projects in California, including the Stanford and Turlock projects, with an aggregate size of approximately 350 MW. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 , the Company had net proceeds of $79.4 million in connection with the facility. As of April 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of this facility, presented in "Short-term debt" and "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $84.3 million . In fiscal 2015, the Company entered into a long-term credit facility to finance the 128 MW utility-scale Henrietta utility-scale power plant in California. As of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount of this loan, presented in "Short-term debt" and "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $216.7 million . In fiscal 2015, the Company entered into a long-term credit facility to finance the 60 MW Hooper utility-scale power plant in Colorado. In fiscal 2016, the Company repaid the full amount outstanding. During the three months ended April 3, 2016 , the Company had net repayments of $37.3 million in connection with the facility. As of January 3, 2016 , the carrying amount of this facility, presented in "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $37.3 million . In fiscal 2013, the Company entered into a long-term loan agreement to finance a 5.4 MW utility and power plant operating in Arizona. As of both April 3, 2016 , and January 3, 2016 , the aggregate carrying amount under this loan, presented in "Short-term debt" and "Long-term debt" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $8.1 million . Other debt is further composed of non-recourse project loans in EMEA, which are scheduled to mature through 2028. See Note 5 for discussion of the Company’s sale-leasebacks accounted for under the financing method.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following tables present information about the Company's hedge instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , all of which utilize Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Classification April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Assets Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency option contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 189 $ — $ 189 $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,630 8,734 $ 5,630 $ 8,734 Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency option contracts Accrued liabilities $ 222 $ — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Accrued liabilities 33 141 Interest rate contracts Other long-term liabilities 789 583 $ 1,044 $ 724 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Accrued liabilities 10,556 2,175 Interest rate contracts Other long-term liabilities 159 450 $ 10,715 $ 2,625 April 3, 2016 Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Rights to Offset (In thousands) Gross Amounts Recognized Gross Amounts Offset Net Amounts Presented Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amounts Derivative assets $ 5,819 $ — $ 5,819 $ 5,819 $ — $ — Derivative liabilities $ 11,759 $ — $ 11,759 $ 5,819 $ — $ 5,940 January 3, 2016 Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Rights to Offset (In thousands) Gross Amounts Recognized Gross Amounts Offset Net Amounts Presented Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amounts Derivative assets $ 8,734 $ — $ 8,734 $ 2,316 $ — $ 6,418 Derivative liabilities $ 3,349 $ — $ 3,349 $ 2,316 $ — $ 1,033 The following table summarizes the pre-tax amount of unrealized gain or loss recognized in "Accumulated other comprehensive income" ("OCI") in "Stockholders' equity" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Gain (loss) in OCI at the beginning of the period $ 5,942 $ (1,443 ) Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion) 257 (2,708 ) Less: Gain reclassified from OCI to revenue (effective portion) (7,002 ) (1,480 ) Net change in derivatives $ (6,745 ) $ (4,188 ) Loss in OCI at the end of the period $ (803 ) $ (5,631 ) The following table summarizes the amount of gain or loss recognized in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the three months ended April 3, 2016 , and March 29, 2015 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Loss recognized in "Other, net" on derivatives (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing) $ (460 ) $ (3,255 ) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Gain (loss) recognized in "Other, net" $ (6,315 ) $ 7,515 Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Designated Derivatives Hedging Cash Flow Exposure The Company's cash flow exposure primarily relates to anticipated third-party foreign currency revenues and expenses and interest rate fluctuations. To protect financial performance, the Company enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts designated as cash flow hedges to hedge certain forecasted revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies. As of April 3, 2016 , the Company had designated outstanding cash flow hedge option contracts and forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of $27.9 million and $5.5 million , respectively. As of January 3, 2016 , the Company had designated outstanding cash flow hedge forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of $23.6 million . The Company designates either gross external or intercompany revenue up to its net economic exposure. These derivatives have a maturity of 12 months or less and consist of foreign currency option and forward contracts. The effective portion of these cash flow hedges is reclassified into revenue when third-party revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Non-Designated Derivatives Hedging Transaction Exposure Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist of forward and option contracts used to hedge re-measurement of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities primarily for intercompany transactions, receivables from customers, and payables to third parties. Changes in exchange rates between the Company's subsidiaries' functional currencies and the currencies in which these assets and liabilities are denominated can create fluctuations in the Company's reported consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. As of April 3, 2016 , to hedge balance sheet exposure, the Company held forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of $76.8 million . The maturity dates of these contracts range from April 2016 to July 2016. As of January 3, 2016 , to hedge balance sheet exposure, the Company held forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of $12.1 million . The maturity dates of these contracts range from December 2015 to April 2016. Interest Rate Risk The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on its project specific non-recourse floating rate debt. As of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges with an aggregate notional value of $8.1 million and interest rate swap agreements not designated as cash flow hedges with an aggregate notional value of $18.6 million . These swap agreements allow the Company to effectively convert floating-rate payments into fixed rate payments periodically over the life of the agreements. These derivatives have a maturity of more than 12 months. The effective portion of these swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges is reclassified into interest expense when the hedged transactions are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company analyzes its designated interest rate swaps quarterly to determine if the hedge transaction remains effective or ineffective. The Company may discontinue hedge accounting for interest rate swaps prospectively if certain criteria are no longer met, the interest rate swap is terminated or exercised, or if the Company elects to remove the cash flow hedge designation. If hedge accounting is discontinued, and the forecasted hedged transaction is considered possible to occur, the previously recognized gain or loss on the interest rate swaps will remain in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings during the same period the forecasted hedged transaction affects earnings or is otherwise deemed improbable to occur. All changes in the fair value of non-designated interest rate swap agreements are recognized immediately in current period earnings. Credit Risk The Company's option and forward contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these option and forward contracts. The Company enters into derivative contracts with high-quality financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any single counterparty. In addition, the Company continuously evaluates the credit standing of its counterparties.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE The Company calculates net income (loss) per share by dividing earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted weighted average shares is computed using basic weighted average shares plus any potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period using the treasury-stock-type method and the if-converted method, except when their effect is anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities include stock options, restricted stock units, the Upfront Warrants held by Total, warrants associated with the CSO2015, and the outstanding senior convertible debentures. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share amounts) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Basic net income (loss) per share: Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Denominator Basic weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Basic net income (loss) per share $ (0.62 ) $ (0.07 ) Diluted net income (loss) per share: Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Add: Interest expense incurred on the 4.00% debentures due 2023, net of tax — n/a Add: Interest expense incurred on the 0.75% debentures due 2018, net of tax — — Add: Interest expense incurred on the 0.875% debentures due 2021, net of tax — — Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Denominator Basic weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options — — Restricted stock units — — Upfront Warrants (held by Total) — — Warrants (under the CSO2015) n/a — 4.00% debentures due 2023 — n/a 0.75% debentures due 2018 — — 0.875% debentures due 2021 — — Dilutive weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Diluted net income (loss) per share $ (0.62 ) $ (0.07 ) The Upfront Warrants allow Total to acquire up to 9,531,677 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $7.8685 . The warrants under the CSO2015, when such warrants were still outstanding, entitled holders to acquire up to 11.1 million shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $24.00 . During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into unwind agreements pursuant to which the Company issued common stock to settle all of the outstanding warrants relating to the CSO2015 (refer to "Note 12. Debt and Credit Sources" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016). Holders of the Company's 4.00% debentures due 2023, 0.875% debentures due 2021, and 0.75% debentures due 2018 can convert the debentures into shares of the Company's common stock, at the applicable conversion rate, at any time on or before maturity. These debentures are included in the calculation of diluted net income per share if they were outstanding during the period presented and if their inclusion is dilutive under the if-converted method. Holders of the Company's 4.50% debentures due 2015 could, under certain circumstances at their option and before maturity, convert the debentures into cash, and not into shares of the Company's common stock (or any other securities). Therefore, the 4.50% debentures due 2015 are excluded from the net income per share calculation. In March 2015, the 4.50% debentures due 2015 matured and were settled in cash (refer to "Note 12. Debt and Credit Sources" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016). The following is a summary of outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock that was excluded from income (loss) per diluted share in the following periods: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 1 March 29, 2015 1 Stock options 149 190 Restricted stock units 3,816 3,616 Upfront Warrants (held by Total) 6,367 6,908 Warrants (under the CSO2015) n/a 11,096 4.00% debentures due 2023 13,922 n/a 0.75% debentures due 2018 12,026 12,026 0.875% debentures due 2021 8,203 8,203 1 As a result of the net loss per share for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , the inclusion of all potentially dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and common shares under noted warrants and convertible debt would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, those stock options, restricted stock units and shares were excluded from the computation of the weighted-average shares for diluted net loss per share for such period.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION The Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, as the CODM, has organized the Company, manages resource allocations and measures performance of the Company's activities among three end-customer segments: (i) Residential Segment, (ii) Commercial Segment and (iii) Power Plant Segment (see Note 1 ). The Residential and Commercial Segments combined are referred to as Distributed Generation. The CODM assesses the performance of the three end-customer segments using information about their revenue, gross margin, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") after certain adjustments such as those related to 8point3 Energy Partners, utility and power plant projects and the sale of operating lease assets, and adding back certain expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and IPO-related costs, as well as other items. Additionally, for purposes of calculating EBITDA, the calculation excludes cash interest expense, net of interest income, provision for income taxes, and depreciation. The CODM does not review asset information by segment. The following tables present information by end-customer segment including revenue, gross margin, and EBITDA, each as reviewed by the CODM, as well as information about significant customers and revenue by geography, based on the destination of the shipments. Three Months Ended (In thousands): April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 95,632 $ 115,666 Residential leasing 56,175 39,658 Commercial 52,241 49,063 Power Plant 180,827 236,484 Total revenue $ 384,875 $ 440,871 Cost of revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 75,063 $ 92,367 Residential leasing 43,097 30,405 Commercial 45,226 46,880 Power Plant 169,952 180,401 Total cost of revenue $ 333,338 $ 350,053 Gross margin Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 20,569 $ 23,299 Residential leasing 13,078 9,253 Commercial 7,015 2,183 Power Plant 10,875 56,083 Total gross margin $ 51,537 $ 90,818

The Company and Summary of Si22

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("United States" or "U.S.") and include the accounts of the Company, all of its subsidiaries and special purpose entities, as appropriate under consolidation accounting guidelines. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the special purpose entities that the Company establishes in connection with certain project financing arrangements for customers are not designed to be available to service the general liabilities and obligations of the Company.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation in the Company's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit.
Fiscal Years	Fiscal Years The Company has a 52-to-53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Accordingly, every fifth or sixth year will be a 53-week fiscal year. The current fiscal year, fiscal 2016, is a 52-week fiscal year, while fiscal year 2015 was a 53-week fiscal year and had a 14-week fourth fiscal quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2016 ended on April 3, 2016 , while the first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended on March 29, 2015 . The first quarters of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were both 13-week quarters.
Management Estimates	Management Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in these consolidated financial statements include percentage-of-completion for construction projects; allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and sales returns; inventory and project asset write-downs; stock-based compensation; estimates for future cash flows and economic useful lives of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, valuations for business combinations, other intangible assets, investments, and other long-term assets; the fair value and residual value of solar power systems; fair value of financial instruments; valuation of contingencies and certain accrued liabilities such as accrued warranty; and income taxes and tax valuation allowances and indemnities. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to the standards to simplify the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued an update to the standards to require lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (lease terms of more than 12 months) at the commencement date. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued an update to the standards to require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and upon adoption, an entity should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet at the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Early adoption is permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued an update to the standards to simplify the measurement of inventory. The updated standard more closely aligns the measurement of inventory with that of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and amends the measurement standard from lower of cost or market to lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance is effective for the Company no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and requires a prospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update to the standards to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of defined benefit obligation and plan assets for reporting entities with fiscal year-ends that do not coincide with a month-end. The updated standard allows such entities to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year and to all plans, if an entity has more than one plan. The Company elected early adoption of the updated accounting standard, effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and measured its defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of December 31, 2015, the calendar month-end closest to the Company’s fiscal year-end. The adoption of this updated accounting standard did not have a significant impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued a new standard that modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The Company adopted the new accounting standard, effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Adoption of the new accounting standard did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued a new revenue recognition standard based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) clarify the application of the principal versus agent guidance; and ii) clarify the guidance relating to performance obligations and licensing. The new revenue recognition standard, amended by the updates, becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is to be applied retrospectively using one of two prescribed methods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the available methods and the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

The Company and Summary of Si23

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Property, plant and equipment, net: Manufacturing equipment 1 $ 630,085 $ 556,963 Land and buildings 32,134 32,090 Leasehold improvements 388,545 244,098 Solar power systems 2 141,986 141,075 Computer equipment 109,090 103,443 Furniture and fixtures 11,216 10,640 Construction-in-process 116,828 247,511 1,429,884 1,335,820 Less: accumulated depreciation (626,940 ) (604,590 ) $ 802,944 $ 731,230 1 The Company's mortgage loan agreement with International Finance Corporation ("IFC") is collateralized by certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of $77.2 million and $85.1 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. 2 Includes $110.4 million of solar power systems associated with sale-leaseback transactions under the financing method as of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , which are depreciated using the straight-line method to their estimated residual values over the lease terms of up to 20 years (see Note 5 ).

Transactions with Total and T24

Transactions with Total and Total S.A. (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of related party transactions	Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue: EPC, O&M, and components revenue under joint projects $ 40,927 $ 755 Research and development expense: Offsetting contributions received under the R&D Agreement $ — $ (422 ) Interest expense: Guarantee fees incurred under the Credit Support Agreement $ 1,646 $ 2,726 Interest expense incurred on the 0.75% debentures due 2018 $ 375 $ 375 Interest expense incurred on the 0.875% debentures due 2021 $ 547 $ 547 Interest expense incurred on the 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 1,000 n/a

Goodwill and Other Intangible25

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Goodwill The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill under the Company's reportable business segments: (In thousands) Residential Commercial Power Plant Total As of January 3, 2016 $ 32,180 $ 10,314 $ 15,641 $ 58,135 Adjustments to goodwill — (570 ) — (570 ) As of April 3, 2016 $ 32,180 $ 9,744 $ 15,641 $ 57,565
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets	The following tables present details of the Company's acquired other intangible assets: (In thousands) Gross Accumulated Amortization Net As of April 3, 2016 Patents and purchased technology $ 48,619 $ (8,504 ) $ 40,115 Project pipeline assets 9,446 — 9,446 Purchased in-process research and development 3,700 (111 ) 3,589 Other 500 (500 ) — $ 62,265 $ (9,115 ) $ 53,150 As of January 3, 2016 Patents and purchased technology $ 53,499 $ (5,328 ) $ 48,171 Project pipeline assets 9,446 — 9,446 Purchased in-process research and development 3,700 — 3,700 Other 500 $ (375 ) 125 $ 67,145 $ (5,703 ) $ 61,442
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets Future Amortization Expense	As of April 3, 2016 , the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite useful lives is as follows: (In thousands) Amount Fiscal Year 2016 (remaining nine months) $ 12,844 2017 11,854 2018 12,014 2019 8,902 2020 6,317 $ 51,931

Balance Sheet Components (Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accounts receivable, net: Accounts receivable, gross 1,2 $ 196,720 $ 207,860 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (17,493 ) (15,505 ) Less: allowance for sales returns (1,784 ) (1,907 ) $ 177,443 $ 190,448 1 Includes short-term financing receivables associated with solar power systems leased of $14.1 million and $12.5 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively (see Note 5 ). 2 Includes short-term retainage of $15.7 million and $11.8 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. Retainage refers to the earned, but unbilled, portion of a construction and development project for which payment is deferred by the customer until certain contractual milestones are met.
Schedule of Inventory	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Inventories: Raw materials $ 104,177 $ 124,297 Work-in-process 108,050 131,258 Finished goods 174,560 126,835 $ 386,787 $ 382,390
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Deferred project costs $ 117,027 $ 67,479 VAT receivables, current portion 12,487 14,697 Deferred costs for solar power systems to be leased 46,032 40,988 Derivative financial instruments 5,819 8,734 Prepaid inventory 50,615 50,615 Other receivables 81,821 78,824 Other prepaid expenses 101,139 98,180 Other current assets 188 — $ 415,128 $ 359,517
Schedule Investments In Power And Distribution Projects	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Project assets - plants and land: Project assets — plants $ 664,365 $ 479,108 Project assets — land 4,403 5,416 $ 668,768 $ 484,524 Project assets - plants and land, current portion $ 662,868 $ 479,452 Project assets - plants and land, net of current portion $ 5,900 $ 5,072
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Property, plant and equipment, net: Manufacturing equipment 1 $ 630,085 $ 556,963 Land and buildings 32,134 32,090 Leasehold improvements 388,545 244,098 Solar power systems 2 141,986 141,075 Computer equipment 109,090 103,443 Furniture and fixtures 11,216 10,640 Construction-in-process 116,828 247,511 1,429,884 1,335,820 Less: accumulated depreciation (626,940 ) (604,590 ) $ 802,944 $ 731,230 1 The Company's mortgage loan agreement with International Finance Corporation ("IFC") is collateralized by certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of $77.2 million and $85.1 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , respectively. 2 Includes $110.4 million of solar power systems associated with sale-leaseback transactions under the financing method as of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , which are depreciated using the straight-line method to their estimated residual values over the lease terms of up to 20 years (see Note 5 ).
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment by Geographic Region	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Property, plant and equipment, net by geography 1 : Philippines $ 525,306 $ 460,420 United States 204,402 201,419 Mexico 47,932 44,164 Europe 23,178 22,962 Other 2,126 2,265 $ 802,944 $ 731,230 1 Property, plant and equipment, net by geography is based on the physical location of the assets.
Schedule of Other Long-Term Assets	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Other long-term assets: Equity method investments $ 177,534 $ 186,405 Cost method investments 45,602 36,369 Other 76,131 75,201 $ 299,267 $ 297,975
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accrued liabilities: Employee compensation and employee benefits 41,019 59,476 Deferred revenue 19,393 19,887 Short-term residential lease financing 13,340 7,395 Interest payable 11,828 8,165 Short-term warranty reserves 8,971 16,639 Restructuring reserve 1,614 1,823 VAT payables 2,899 4,225 Derivative financial instruments 10,811 2,316 Inventory payable 50,615 50,615 Liability due to 8point3 Energy Partners — 9,952 Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners attributable to pre-COD projects 4,887 — Other 118,125 133,004 $ 283,502 $ 313,497
Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Other long-term liabilities: Deferred revenue $ 178,903 $ 179,779 Long-term warranty reserves 157,469 147,488 Long-term sale-leaseback financing 126,230 125,286 Long-term residential lease financing with 8point3 Energy Partners 29,400 29,389 Unrecognized tax benefits 42,839 43,297 Long-term pension liability 13,142 12,014 Derivative financial instruments 948 1,033 Other 13,792 26,271 $ 562,723 $ 564,557
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Cumulative translation adjustment $ (9,745 ) $ (11,164 ) Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (803 ) 5,942 Net loss on long-term pension liability adjustment (2,055 ) (2,055 ) Deferred taxes 4 (746 ) $ (12,599 ) $ (8,023 )

Leasing (Tables)

Leasing (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of property subject to or available for operating lease	The following table summarizes "Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net" under operating leases on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 : As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net 1,2 : Solar power systems leased $ 573,628 $ 543,358 Solar power systems to be leased 39,811 34,319 613,439 577,677 Less: accumulated depreciation (51,905 ) (46,157 ) $ 561,534 $ 531,520 1 Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net are physically located exclusively in the United States. 2 As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company had pledged solar assets with an aggregate book value of $94.1 million and zero , respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations.
Schedule of minimum future rental receipts on operating leases placed in service	The following table presents the Company's minimum future rental receipts on operating leases placed in service as of April 3, 2016 : (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service 1 $ 13,037 18,625 18,662 18,699 18,738 264,210 $ 351,971 1 Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives nor does it include rent receivables on operating leases sold to the 8point3 Group.
Schedule of accounts, notes, loans and financing receivable	As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , the Company's net investment in sales-type leases presented in "Accounts receivable, net" and "Long-term financing receivables, net" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: As of (In thousands) April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Financing receivables 1 : Minimum lease payments receivable 2 $ 416,559 $ 366,759 Unguaranteed residual value 55,699 50,722 Unearned income (79,385 ) (70,155 ) Net financing receivables $ 392,873 $ 347,326 Current $ 14,071 $ 12,535 Long-term $ 378,802 $ 334,791
Schedule of future maturities of net financing receivables	As of April 3, 2016 , future maturities of net financing receivables for sales-type leases are as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Scheduled maturities of minimum lease payments receivable 1 $ 15,537 20,716 20,887 21,066 21,249 317,104 $ 416,559 1 Minimum future rentals on sales-type leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis	The following table summarizes the Company's assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 : April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1 : Money market funds $ 160,859 $ 160,859 $ — $ 540,000 $ 540,000 $ — Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 5,819 — 5,819 8,734 — 8,734 Total assets $ 166,678 $ 160,859 $ 5,819 $ 548,734 $ 540,000 $ 8,734 Liabilities Accrued liabilities: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 10,811 — 10,811 2,316 — 2,316 Other long-term liabilities: Derivative financial instruments (Note 11) 948 — 948 1,033 — 1,033 Total liabilities $ 11,759 $ — $ 11,759 $ 3,349 $ — $ 3,349 1 The Company's cash equivalents consist of money market fund instruments and commercial paper that are classified as available-for-sale and are highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. The Company's money market fund instruments are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Summary of fair value on derivative instruments
Schedule of related party transactions	Related-Party Transactions with Total and its Affiliates: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue: EPC, O&M, and components revenue under joint projects $ 40,927 $ 755 Research and development expense: Offsetting contributions received under the R&D Agreement $ — $ (422 ) Interest expense: Guarantee fees incurred under the Credit Support Agreement $ 1,646 $ 2,726 Interest expense incurred on the 0.75% debentures due 2018 $ 375 $ 375 Interest expense incurred on the 0.875% debentures due 2021 $ 547 $ 547 Interest expense incurred on the 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 1,000 n/a

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of restructuring and related costs	The following table summarizes the restructuring charges recognized in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Cumulative To Date Non-cash impairment charges $ — $ — $ 61,320 Severance and benefits — 1,931 61,599 Lease and related termination costs — — 6,984 Other costs 1 96 1,650 13,633 Total restructuring charges $ 96 $ 3,581 $ 143,536
Schedule of restructuring reserve	The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity during the three months ended April 3, 2016 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) January 3, 2016 Charges (Benefits) Payments April 3, 2016 Severance and benefits $ 395 $ — $ 16 $ 411 Lease and related termination costs 743 — (127 ) 616 Other costs 1 685 96 (194 ) 587 Total restructuring liability $ 1,823 $ 96 $ (305 ) $ 1,614 1 Other costs primarily represent associated legal services and costs of relocating employees.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligations	Future purchase obligations under non-cancellable purchase orders and long-term supply agreements as of April 3, 2016 are as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total 1,2,3 Future purchase obligations $ 839,386 350,325 200,475 175,696 161,832 3,000 $ 1,730,714 1 Total future purchase obligations as of April 3, 2016 include $181.2 million to related parties. 2 Total future purchase obligations were composed of $249.3 million related to non-cancellable purchase orders and $1.5 billion related to long-term supply agreements. 3 During fiscal 2015, we did not fulfill all of the purchase commitments we were otherwise obligated to take by December 31, 2015, as specified in related contracts with a supplier. As of April 3, 2016 , the Company has recorded an offsetting asset, recorded within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," and liability, recorded within "Accrued liabilities," totaling $50.6 million . This amount represents the unfulfilled amount as of that date as the Company expects to satisfy the obligation via purchases of inventory in fiscal 2016, within the applicable contractual cure period.
Schedule of estimated utilization of advances from customers	The estimated utilization of advances from customers as of April 3, 2016 is as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Estimated utilization of advances from customers $ 19,267 36,319 27,039 28,842 43,263 — $ 154,730
Schedule of product warranty liability	The following table summarizes accrued warranty activity for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , respectively: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Balance at the beginning of the period $ 164,127 $ 154,648 Accruals for warranties issued during the period 5,879 8,161 Settlements and adjustments during the period (3,566 ) (8,711 ) Balance at the end of the period $ 166,440 $ 154,098

Debt and Credit Sources (Tables

Debt and Credit Sources (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt	The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding debt on its Consolidated Balance Sheets: April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Face Value Short-term Long-term Total Face Value Short-term Long-term Total Convertible debt: 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 425,000 $ — $ 416,525 $ 416,525 $ 425,000 $ — $ 416,369 $ 416,369 0.875% debentures due 2021 400,000 — 396,584 396,584 400,000 — 396,424 396,424 0.75% debentures due 2018 300,000 — 298,357 298,357 300,000 — 298,167 298,167 IFC mortgage loan 25,000 14,993 9,366 24,359 32,500 14,994 16,778 31,772 CEDA loan 30,000 — 27,898 27,898 30,000 — 27,778 27,778 Non-recourse financing and other debt 1 506,713 47,214 456,181 503,395 435,963 4,642 429,981 434,623 $ 1,686,713 $ 62,207 $ 1,604,911 $ 1,667,118 $ 1,623,463 $ 19,636 $ 1,585,497 $ 1,605,133 1 Other debt excludes payments related to capital leases, which are disclosed in Note 8 .
Schedule of maturities of debt	As of April 3, 2016 , the aggregate future contractual maturities of the Company's outstanding debt, at face value, were as follows: (In thousands) Fiscal 2016 (remaining nine months) Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2020 Thereafter Total Aggregate future maturities of outstanding debt $ 53,391 34,564 334,750 20,198 29,841 1,213,969 $ 1,686,713
Schedule of long-term convertible debt instruments	The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding convertible debt: April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 (In thousands) Carrying Value Face Value Fair Value 1 Carrying Value Face Value Fair Value 1 Convertible debt: 4.00% debentures due 2023 $ 416,525 $ 425,000 $ 432,663 $ 416,369 $ 425,000 $ 515,903 0.875% debentures due 2021 396,584 400,000 $ 310,180 396,424 400,000 340,500 0.75% debentures due 2018 298,357 300,000 321,000 298,167 300,000 396,792 $ 1,111,466 $ 1,125,000 $ 1,063,843 $ 1,110,960 $ 1,125,000 $ 1,253,195 1 The fair value of the convertible debt was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quarterly market prices as reported by an independent pricing source.

Derivative Financial Instrume32

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Abstract]
Schedule of hedge instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following tables present information about the Company's hedge instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016 , all of which utilize Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Classification April 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Assets Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency option contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 189 $ — $ 189 $ — Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,630 8,734 $ 5,630 $ 8,734 Liabilities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency option contracts Accrued liabilities $ 222 $ — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Accrued liabilities 33 141 Interest rate contracts Other long-term liabilities 789 583 $ 1,044 $ 724 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward exchange contracts Accrued liabilities 10,556 2,175 Interest rate contracts Other long-term liabilities 159 450 $ 10,715 $ 2,625
Schedule of offsetting assets and liabilities	April 3, 2016 Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Rights to Offset (In thousands) Gross Amounts Recognized Gross Amounts Offset Net Amounts Presented Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amounts Derivative assets $ 5,819 $ — $ 5,819 $ 5,819 $ — $ — Derivative liabilities $ 11,759 $ — $ 11,759 $ 5,819 $ — $ 5,940 January 3, 2016 Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Rights to Offset (In thousands) Gross Amounts Recognized Gross Amounts Offset Net Amounts Presented Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amounts Derivative assets $ 8,734 $ — $ 8,734 $ 2,316 $ — $ 6,418 Derivative liabilities $ 3,349 $ — $ 3,349 $ 2,316 $ — $ 1,033
Schedule of derivative instruments, effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	The following table summarizes the pre-tax amount of unrealized gain or loss recognized in "Accumulated other comprehensive income" ("OCI") in "Stockholders' equity" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Gain (loss) in OCI at the beginning of the period $ 5,942 $ (1,443 ) Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion) 257 (2,708 ) Less: Gain reclassified from OCI to revenue (effective portion) (7,002 ) (1,480 ) Net change in derivatives $ (6,745 ) $ (4,188 ) Loss in OCI at the end of the period $ (803 ) $ (5,631 )
Schedule of gain or loss recognized in Statement of Operations	The following table summarizes the amount of gain or loss recognized in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the three months ended April 3, 2016 , and March 29, 2015 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Loss recognized in "Other, net" on derivatives (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing) $ (460 ) $ (3,255 ) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Gain (loss) recognized in "Other, net" $ (6,315 ) $ 7,515

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of income (loss) per share	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share amounts) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Basic net income (loss) per share: Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Denominator Basic weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Basic net income (loss) per share $ (0.62 ) $ (0.07 ) Diluted net income (loss) per share: Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Add: Interest expense incurred on the 4.00% debentures due 2023, net of tax — n/a Add: Interest expense incurred on the 0.75% debentures due 2018, net of tax — — Add: Interest expense incurred on the 0.875% debentures due 2021, net of tax — — Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (85,409 ) $ (9,581 ) Denominator Basic weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options — — Restricted stock units — — Upfront Warrants (held by Total) — — Warrants (under the CSO2015) n/a — 4.00% debentures due 2023 — n/a 0.75% debentures due 2018 — — 0.875% debentures due 2021 — — Dilutive weighted-average common shares 137,203 132,033 Diluted net income (loss) per share $ (0.62 ) $ (0.07 )
Schedule of outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income per share	The following is a summary of outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock that was excluded from income (loss) per diluted share in the following periods: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 1 March 29, 2015 1 Stock options 149 190 Restricted stock units 3,816 3,616 Upfront Warrants (held by Total) 6,367 6,908 Warrants (under the CSO2015) n/a 11,096 4.00% debentures due 2023 13,922 n/a 0.75% debentures due 2018 12,026 12,026 0.875% debentures due 2021 8,203 8,203 1 As a result of the net loss per share for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and March 29, 2015 , the inclusion of all potentially dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and common shares under noted warrants and convertible debt would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, those stock options, restricted stock units and shares were excluded from the computation of the weighted-average shares for diluted net loss per share for such period.

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of stock-based compensation expense by line item on the Statement of Operations	The following table summarizes the consolidated stock-based compensation expense by line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Cost of Residential revenue $ 827 $ 922 Cost of Commercial revenue 652 388 Cost of Power Plant revenue 2,646 1,256 Research and development 3,032 2,273 Sales, general and administrative 9,363 8,707 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 16,520 $ 13,546
Summary of stock-based compensation expense by type of award	The following table summarizes the consolidated stock-based compensation expense by type of awards: Three Months Ended (In thousands) April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Restricted stock units $ 17,433 $ 14,504 Change in stock-based compensation capitalized in inventory (913 ) (958 ) Total stock-based compensation expense $ 16,520 $ 13,546

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information	The following tables present information by end-customer segment including revenue, gross margin, and EBITDA, each as reviewed by the CODM, as well as information about significant customers and revenue by geography, based on the destination of the shipments. Three Months Ended (In thousands): April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 95,632 $ 115,666 Residential leasing 56,175 39,658 Commercial 52,241 49,063 Power Plant 180,827 236,484 Total revenue $ 384,875 $ 440,871 Cost of revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 75,063 $ 92,367 Residential leasing 43,097 30,405 Commercial 45,226 46,880 Power Plant 169,952 180,401 Total cost of revenue $ 333,338 $ 350,053 Gross margin Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 20,569 $ 23,299 Residential leasing 13,078 9,253 Commercial 7,015 2,183 Power Plant 10,875 56,083 Total gross margin $ 51,537 $ 90,818
Schedule of revenue by major customers	Three Months Ended (In thousands): April 3, 2016 March 29, 2015 Revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 95,632 $ 115,666 Residential leasing 56,175 39,658 Commercial 52,241 49,063 Power Plant 180,827 236,484 Total revenue $ 384,875 $ 440,871 Cost of revenue Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 75,063 $ 92,367 Residential leasing 43,097 30,405 Commercial 45,226 46,880 Power Plant 169,952 180,401 Total cost of revenue $ 333,338 $ 350,053 Gross margin Distributed Generation Residential Solar power systems, components, others $ 20,569 $ 23,299 Residential leasing 13,078 9,253 Commercial 7,015 2,183 Power Plant 10,875 56,083 Total gross margin $ 51,537 $ 90,818
Reconciliation of segment revenue and gross margin	Three Months Ended April 3, 2016 Revenue Gross margin Revenue and Gross margin by segment (in thousands, except percentages): Residential Commercial Power Plant Residential Commercial Power Plant As reviewed by CODM $ 160,898 $ 52,241 $ 220,503 $ 37,583 23.4 % $ 8,332 15.9 % $ 13,107 5.9 % 8point3 Energy Partners 1,312 — 13,862 485 — 4,157 Utility and power plant projects — — (53,538 ) — — (3,557 ) Sale of operating lease assets (10,403 ) — — (3,112 ) — — Stock-based compensation — — — (827 ) (652 ) (2,646 ) Other — — — (482 ) (665 ) (186 ) GAAP $ 151,807 $ 52,241 $ 180,827 $ 33,647 22.2 % $ 7,015 13.4 % $ 10,875 6.0 % Three Months Ended March 29, 2015 Revenue Gross margin Revenue and Gross margin by segment (in thousands, except percentages): Residential Commercial Power Plant Residential Commercial Power Plant As reviewed by CODM $ 155,324 $ 49,063 $ 226,214 $ 35,278 22.7 % $ 3,025 6.2 % $ 49,858 22.0 % Utility and power plant projects — — 10,270 — — 11,251 Stock-based compensation — — — (922 ) (388 ) (1,256 ) Other — — — (1,804 ) (454 ) (3,770 ) GAAP $ 155,324 $ 49,063 $ 236,484 $ 32,552 21.0 % $ 2,183 4.4 % $ 56,083 23.7 %

The Company and Summary of Si36

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant & Equipment, Estimated Useful Life (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	8 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	2 years
Solar power systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years

The Company and Summary of Si37

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Operating lease, term		20 years
Sale leaseback transactions, lease term	20 years	20 years
Capital leases, maximum term	20 years

Transactions with Total and T38

Transactions with Total and Total S.A. (Details)	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016USD ($)shares	Jun. 29, 2014USD ($)shares	May. 31, 2013USD ($)shares$ / shares	Feb. 28, 2012USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2011$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2011USD ($)$ / shares	Apr. 03, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value	$ 1,623,463,000						$ 1,686,713,000
Accounts receivable	32,389,000						$ 19,116,000
Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership after sale of stock, percentage							57.00%
Liquidity support facility, warrant, maximum ownership percentage allowed				74.99%
Compensation and Funding Agreement [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate at period end									2.75%
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate			0.75%				0.75%
Debt instrument, face value	300,000,000		$ 300,000,000				$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 24.95				$ 24.95
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value			$ 200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares			8,017,420
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate		0.875%					0.875%
Debt instrument, face value	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000					$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 48.76
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares		5,126,775
4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.00%						4.00%
Debt instrument, face value	$ 425,000,000						$ 425,000,000
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 30.53
4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares	3,275,680
Tender Offer Agreement [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership after sale of stock, percentage						60.00%
Consideration received in cash tender offer (in dollars per share) | $ / shares						$ 23.25
Cash tender offer						$ 1,400,000,000
Private Placement [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership after sale of stock, percentage					66.00%
Consideration received in cash tender offer (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 8.80
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction | shares					18,600,000
Total [Member] | Compensation and Funding Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Line of credit, fee rate									5.00%
Total [Member] | 0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		$ 250,000,000
Total [Member] | 4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value							$ 100,000,000
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares) | shares				9,531,677
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 7.8685
Class of warrant or right, term				7 years
Liquidity support facility, warrant, minimum amount of outstanding convertible debt required to be outstanding				$ 25,000,000
Interest Expense [Member] | Credit Support Agreement [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Related Party							1,646,000	$ 2,726,000
Interest Expense [Member] | 0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Related Party							375,000	375,000
Interest Expense [Member] | 0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Related Party							547,000	547,000
Interest Expense [Member] | 4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Related Party							1,000,000
Research and Development Expense [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Offsetting contributions received under the R&D Agreement							0	422,000
Sales [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
EPC, O&M, and components revenue under joint projects							40,927,000	$ 755,000
Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings							41,100,000
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Total [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable							$ 2,400,000

8point3 Energy Partners LP (Det

8point3 Energy Partners LP (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 177,534		$ 186,405
Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners IPO attributable to pre-COD projects	4,887		0
Pledged Solar Assets, carrying value	77,000		78,000
Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners LP attributable to real estate projects and residential lease portfolio	9,968	$ 0
8Point3 Energy [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ (41,000)		$ (30,900)

Goodwill and Other Intangible40

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 8,300	$ 500
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	9,115		$ 5,703
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	53,150		61,442
Other intangible assets, net	51,931
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	62,265		67,145
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	3,589		3,700
Patents and Purchased Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	48,619		53,499
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(8,504)		(5,328)
Other intangible assets, net	40,115		48,171
Project Pipeline Asset [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	9,446		9,446
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	0		0
Other intangible assets, net	9,446		9,446
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	111		0
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	500		500
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(500)		(375)
Other intangible assets, net	0		125
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 3,700		$ 3,700

Goodwill and Other Intangible41

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2016	Jan. 03, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 51,931
Patents and Purchased Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2,015	12,844
2,016	11,854
2,017	12,014
2,018	8,902
2,019	6,317
Other intangible assets, net	$ 40,115	$ 48,171

Goodwill and Other Intangible42

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, impairment loss			$ 0	$ 0
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 8,300,000	$ 500,000

Balance Sheet Components (Detai

Balance Sheet Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Apr. 03, 2016		Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Accounts receivable, net:
Accounts receivable, gross	$ 207,860	$ 196,720	[1],[2]
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(15,505)	(17,493)
Less: allowance for sales returns	(1,907)	(1,784)
Accounts receivable, net	190,448	177,443	[3]
Short-term financing receivable	(12,535)	(14,071)
Short-term retainage	11,800	15,700
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	124,297	104,177
Work-in-process	131,258	108,050
Finished goods	126,835	174,560
Inventories	382,390	386,787
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Deferred project costs	67,479	117,027
VAT receivables, current portion	14,697	12,487
Deferred costs for solar power systems to be leased	40,988	46,032
Derivative financial instruments	8,734	5,819
Prepaid inventory	50,615	50,615
Other receivables	78,824	81,821
Other prepaid expenses	98,180	101,139
Other current assets	0	188
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	359,517	415,128	[3]
Project Assets [Abstract]
Project assets — plants	479,108	664,365
Project assets — land	5,416	4,403
Project assets - plants and land	484,524	668,768
Project assets - plants and land, current portion1	479,452	662,868	[3]
Project assets - plants and land, net of current portion	5,072	5,900
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Manufacturing equipment	556,963	630,085	[4]
Land and buildings	32,090	32,134
Leasehold improvements	244,098	388,545
Solar power systems	141,075	141,986	[5]
Computer equipment	103,443	109,090
Furniture and fixtures	10,640	11,216
Construction-in-process	247,511	116,828
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,335,820	1,429,884
Less: accumulated depreciation	(604,590)	(626,940)
Property, plant and equipment, net	731,230	802,944	[6]
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Solar power systems, sale leaseback		110,400
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	731,230	802,944	[6]
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Equity method investments	186,405	177,534
Cost method investments	36,369	45,602
Other	75,201	76,131
Other long-term assets	297,975	299,267	[3]
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Employee compensation and employee benefits	59,476	41,019
Deferred revenue	19,887	19,393
Short-term residential lease financing	7,395	13,340
Interest payable	8,165	11,828
Short-term warranty reserves	16,639	8,971
Restructuring reserve	1,823	1,614
VAT payables	4,225	2,899
Derivative financial instruments	2,316	10,811
Inventory payable	50,615	50,615
Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners IPO attributable to pre-COD projects	0	4,887
Liability due to 8point3 Energy Partners	9,952	0
Other	133,004	118,125
Accrued liabilities	313,497	283,502	[3]
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	179,779	178,903
Long-term warranty reserves	147,488	157,469
Long-term sale-leaseback financing	125,286	126,230
Long-term residential lease financing with 8point3 Energy Partners	29,389	29,400
Unrecognized tax benefits	43,297	42,839
Long-term pension liability	12,014	13,142
Derivative financial instruments	1,033	948
Other	26,271	13,792
Other long-term liabilities	564,557	562,723	[3]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative translation adjustment	(11,164)	(9,745)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	5,942	(803)		$ (5,631)	$ (1,443)
Net loss on long-term pension liability adjustment	(2,055)	(2,055)
Deferred taxes	(746)	4
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (8,023)	(12,599)
Residential Lease, Lease Agreement, Maximum Term	20 years
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Collateralized Equipment	$ 85,100	77,200
UNITED STATES
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	201,419	204,402	[6]
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	201,419	204,402	[6]
PHILIPPINES
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	460,420	525,306	[6]
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	460,420	525,306	[6]
MEXICO
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,164	47,932	[6]
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,164	47,932	[6]
Europe [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,962	23,178	[6]
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,962	23,178	[6]
UNKNOWN COUNTRY
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,265	2,126	[6]
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 2,265	$ 2,126	[6]
[1]	Includes short-term financing receivables associated with solar power systems leased of $14.1 million and $12.5 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, respectively (see Note 5).
[2]	Includes short-term retainage of $15.7 million and $11.8 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, respectively. Retainage refers to the earned, but unbilled, portion of a construction and development project for which payment is deferred by the customer until certain contractual milestones are met.
[3]	The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total and its affiliates as well as unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related-party balances are recorded within the "Accounts Receivable, net," "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," "Project assets - plants and land, current portion," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Accrued Liabilities", "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 6, Note 9, Note 10, and Note 11).
[4]	1 The Company's mortgage loan agreement with International Finance Corporation ("IFC") is collateralized by certain manufacturing equipment with a net book value of $77.2 million and $85.1 million as of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, respectively.
[5]	Includes $110.4 million of solar power systems associated with sale-leaseback transactions under the financing method as of both April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, which are depreciated using the straight-line method to their estimated residual values over the lease terms of up to 20 years (see Note 5).
[6]	Property, plant and equipment, net by geography is based on the physical location of the assets.

Leasing (Details)

Leasing (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
		Apr. 03, 2016		Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Leasing [Line Items]
Pledged Assets, Not Separately Reported, Finance Receivables		$ 69,500			$ 0
Capital leases, maximum term					20 years
Solar power systems leased and to be leased [Abstract]
Solar power systems leased, gross	[1],[2]	573,628			$ 543,358
Solar power systems to be leased, gross	[1],[2]	39,811			34,319
Solar Power Systems Leased And To Be Leased, Gross	[1],[2]	613,439			577,677
Accumulated depreciation - residential lease	[1],[2]	(51,905)			(46,157)
Solar Power Systems Leased And To Be Leased, Net	[1],[2]	561,534			531,520
Pledged Solar Assets, book value		94,100			0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2,015	[3]	13,037
2,016	[3]	18,625
2,017	[3]	18,662
2,018	[3]	18,699
2,019	[3]	18,738
Thereafter	[3]	264,210
Minimum future rental receipts	[3]	351,971
Financing receivables:
Financing receivable, gross	[5]	416,559	[4]		366,759
Unguaranteed residual value		55,699			50,722
Unearned income		(79,385)			(70,155)
Net financing receivables		392,873			347,326
Current		14,071			12,535
Long-term		378,802			334,791
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,015	[4]	15,537
2,016	[4]	20,716
2,017	[4]	20,887
2,018	[4]	21,066
2,019	[4]	21,249
Thereafter	[4]	317,104
Financing receivable, gross	[5]	416,559	[4]		366,759
Third-Party Financing Arrangements [Abstract]
Short-term residential lease financing		13,340			$ 7,395
Contributions from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests		24,082		$ 45,890
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest - leasing operations		16,700		19,600
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests		16,008		$ 19,469
Sale-Leaseback [Abstract]
Sale leaseback transactions, lease term					20 years	20 years
Sale Leaseback, Residential customers lease term					25 years
Future minimum lease obligations		84,800
Operating lease, term						20 years
Sale leaseback, minimum lease obligation		102,500
Long-term sale-leaseback financing		$ 126,230			$ 125,286
[1]	2 As of April 3, 2016 and January 3, 2016, the Company had pledged solar assets with an aggregate book value of $94.1 million and zero, respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations.
[2]	Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net are physically located exclusively in the United States.
[3]	Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives nor does it include rent receivables on operating leases sold to the 8point3 Group.
[4]	Minimum future rentals on sales-type leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives.
[5]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOjE5NDdmY2IxNDJkYTRiZjk4YTIxYzY3NTg3MTVjZWU2fFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246MDg5QUM3NEI1NkJEQTJBN0YyQzNBMDJGRjk4RjNEM0EM}

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2014	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments			$ 0
Customer Advances and Deposits, Related Party			0		$ 710,000
Accrued liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			10,811,000		2,316,000
Other long-term liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			948,000		1,033,000
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Accounts receivable			19,116,000		32,389,000
Accounts payable			40,032,000		42,080,000
Other long-term liabilities			1,534,000		1,455,000
Notes Payable, Related Parties			29,400,000		29,389,000
Payments made to investees for products/services			123,630,000	$ 119,177,000
Restricted long-term marketable securities			6,560,000		6,475,000
Restricted long-term marketable securities			6,560,000		6,475,000
Equity method investments			177,534,000		186,405,000
Cost method investments			45,602,000		36,369,000
Accrued liabilities, related party			4,887,000		9,952,000
Revenue from sales to investees of products/services			114,645,000	$ 5,603,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	[1]		160,859,000		540,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			5,819,000		8,734,000
Other long-term assets:
Total assets			166,678,000		548,734,000
Accrued liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			10,811,000		2,316,000
Other long-term liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			948,000		1,033,000
Total liabilities			11,759,000		3,349,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	[1]		160,859,000		540,000,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			0		0
Other long-term assets:
Total assets			160,859,000		540,000,000
Accrued liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			0		0
Other long-term liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			0		0
Total liabilities			0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	[1]		0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			5,819,000		8,734,000
Other long-term assets:
Total assets			5,819,000		8,734,000
Accrued liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			10,811,000		2,316,000
Other long-term liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments (Note 11)			948,000		1,033,000
Total liabilities			$ 11,759,000		$ 3,349,000
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Other long-term liabilities:
Interest rate			4.50%
Tendril Networks Inc [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Quantitative Information [Abstract]
Cost method investment, original cost		$ 20,000,000
Tendril Networks Inc [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Quantitative Information [Abstract]
Cost method investment, agreement to purchase additional interest (in shares)		14
SunPower Inc [Member] | Tendril Networks Inc [Member] | Master Services Agreement and Statement of Works [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Quantitative Information [Abstract]
Cost method investments, joint investment in development project		$ 13,000,000
[1]	1 The Company's cash equivalents consist of money market fund instruments and commercial paper that are classified as available-for-sale and are highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. The Company's money market fund instruments are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Restructuring (Details)

Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges		$ 3,581
Restructuring cost incurred to date	$ 143,536
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning	1,823
Restructuring reserve, charges (benefits)	96	3,581
Restructuring reserve, payments	305
Restructuring Reserve, end	1,614
Employee Severance [Member] | November 2014 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges		1,931
Restructuring cost incurred to date	61,599
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning	395
Restructuring reserve, charges (benefits)	0
Restructuring reserve, payments	(16)
Restructuring Reserve, end	411
Facility Closing [Member] | November 2014 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	0	0
Restructuring cost incurred to date	6,984
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning	743
Restructuring reserve, payments	127
Restructuring Reserve, end	616
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, charges (benefits)	96
Other Restructuring [Member] | November 2014 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges		1,650
Restructuring cost incurred to date	13,633
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning	685
Restructuring reserve, charges (benefits)	96
Restructuring reserve, payments	194
Restructuring Reserve, end	587
Non-cash impairment charges [Member] | November 2014 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	0	$ 0
Restructuring cost incurred to date	$ 61,320

Commitments and Contingencies47

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)		Jul. 14, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015	Jan. 28, 2015	Mar. 19, 2014	Apr. 03, 2016		Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Operating leases, future minimum payments due						$ 47,500,000
Operating lease, term									8 years
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease obligations						$ 5,900,000
Capital leases, maximum term									7 years
Purchase commitments supply and price, term						10 years
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,015						$ 839,386,000
2,016						350,325,000
2,017						200,475,000
2,018						175,696,000
2,019						161,832,000
Thereafter						3,000,000
Total	[1],[2],[3]					1,730,714,000
Future purchase obligations to related parties						181,200,000
Future purchase obligations related to non-cancellable purchase orders						249,300,000
Future purchase obligations related to long-term supply agreements						1,500,000,000
Prepaid inventory						50,615,000			$ 50,615,000
Advances to Suppliers [Abstract]
Advances to suppliers						347,200,000			359,100,000
Advances to suppliers, current portion						95,421,000			85,012,000
Advances From Customer, Maturity Profile [Abstract]
2,015						19,267,000
2,016						36,319,000
2,017						27,039,000
2,018						28,842,000
2,019						43,263,000
Thereafter						0
Total						154,730,000
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Customer advances, current portion						35,307,000	[4]		33,671,000
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Product Warranties, beginning						164,127,000		$ 154,648,000	154,648,000
Accruals for warranties issued during the period						5,879,000		8,161,000
Settlements and adjustments during the period						(3,566,000)		8,711,000
Product Warranties, end						166,440,000		$ 154,098,000	164,127,000
Future Financing Commitments [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued						42,839,000			43,297,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Including Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued						42,839,000			43,297,000
Long-term pension liability						13,142,000			12,014,000
Liabilities Associated with Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) on long-term pension liability adjustment						0
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount						7,500,000
Future Financing Obligation						182,801,000
First Philec Arbitration [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Loss contingency accrual recorded						48,400,000
Solar power systems [Member] | NRG Solar Inc. [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Damages sought					$ 75,000,000
Sunpower Technology Ltd [Member] | AUO Group [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Damages sought			$ 20,000,000
Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount						23,000,000
Claim for disgorgement			$ 48,000,000
First Philippine Solar Corporation [Member] | SunPower Philippines Manufacturing LTD [Member] | First Philec Arbitration [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Court required payments to third party to buyout minority interests, amount		$ 23,200,000		$ 30,300,000
Damages awarded				$ 25,200,000
other unconsolidated investees [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Future Financing Obligations, Year two						3,169,000
AUOSP [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Customer advances and deposits						143,200,000			148,900,000
Customer advances, current portion						23,800,000			$ 22,700,000
Future Financing Commitments [Line Items]
Future financing obligation, year one						$ 179,632,000
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Supplier One [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage						84.00%			82.00%
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Supplier Two [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage						15.00%			16.00%
[1]	During fiscal 2015, we did not fulfill all of the purchase commitments we were otherwise obligated to take by December 31, 2015, as specified in related contracts with a supplier. As of April 3, 2016, the Company has recorded an offsetting asset, recorded within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," and liability, recorded within "Accrued liabilities," totaling $50.6 million. This amount represents the unfulfilled amount as of that date as the Company expects to satisfy the obligation via purchases of inventory in fiscal 2016, within the applicable contractual cure period.
[2]	Total future purchase obligations were composed of $249.3 million related to non-cancellable purchase orders and $1.5 billion related to long-term supply agreements.
[3]	otal future purchase obligations as of April 3, 2016 include $181.2 million to related parties.
[4]	The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total and its affiliates as well as unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related-party balances are recorded within the "Accounts Receivable, net," "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," "Project assets - plants and land, current portion," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Accrued Liabilities", "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 6, Note 9, Note 10, and Note 11).

Equity Method Investments (Deta

Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party				$ 123,630,000	$ 119,177,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties				19,116,000		$ 32,389,000
Equity method investments				177,534,000		186,405,000
Pledged Solar Assets, carrying value				77,000,000		78,000,000
Notes Receivable, Related Parties				1,534,000		1,455,000
Accounts Payable, Related Parties				40,032,000		42,080,000
Accrued liabilities, related party				4,887,000		9,952,000
Customer Advances and Deposits, Related Party				0		710,000
Notes Payable, Related Parties				29,400,000		29,389,000
Revenue from sales to investees of products/services				$ 114,645,000	$ 5,603,000
CCPV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage				25.00%
Payments to acquire equity method investments			$ 16,400,000
Diamond Energy [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		25.00%
Payments to acquire equity method investments		$ 3,000,000
AUOSP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				$ 205,100,000		202,300,000
Equity method investment, ownership percentage				50.00%
Joint venture, energy output committed to purchase, percentage				80.00%
Future financing obligation, year one				$ 169,000,000
Additional cash contributions				50,000,000
8Point3 Energy [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				$ (41,000,000)		$ (30,900,000)
Common Stock [Member] | Tendril Networks Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investment, agreement to purchase additional interest (in shares)	14
Preferred Stock [Member] | Tendril Networks Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investment, original cost	$ 20,000,000
Tendril Networks Inc [Member] | SunPower Inc [Member] | Master Services Agreement and Statement of Works [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments, joint investment in development project	$ 13,000,000

Debt and Credit Sources (Detail

Debt and Credit Sources (Details)		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Jan. 03, 2016USD ($)shares	Jun. 29, 2014USD ($)shares	May. 31, 2013USD ($)shares$ / shares	May. 31, 2010USD ($)installment	Apr. 03, 2016USD ($)$ / shares		Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2011USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 28, 2014USD ($)$ / shares	Jun. 28, 2015shares	Feb. 28, 2012$ / sharesshares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		$ 1,623,463,000				$ 1,686,713,000
Short-term		19,636,000				62,207,000
Long-term		1,585,497,000				1,604,911,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		1,605,133,000				1,667,118,000
Net Contributions from non-controlling interests						18,800,000		$ 43,600,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Other Payments Required						37,301,000		90,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,015						53,391,000
2,016						34,564,000
2,017						334,750,000
2,018						20,198,000
2,019						29,841,000
Thereafter						1,213,969,000
Debt instrument, face value		1,623,463,000				1,686,713,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent		1,110,960,000				1,111,466,000	[1]
Debt instrument, face value		1,623,463,000				1,686,713,000
Repayments of Convertible Debt						0		324,273,000
Non-cash interest expense						346,000		4,680,000
Proceeds from settlement of 4.50% Bond Hedge						$ 0		$ 74,628,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease) for Period, Description						37,606		0
Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse residential financing, net of issuance costs						$ 28,339,000		$ 0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt						79,440,000		90,718,000
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest - leasing operations						(16,700,000)		(19,600,000)
Noncontrolling interests		128,594,000				$ 131,359,000
CEDA Loan [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate						8.50%
California power plant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		0				$ 84,300,000
California Henrietta power plant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		216,700,000				216,700,000
Colorado power plant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		37,300,000				0
Residential Lease Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		171,800,000				176,300,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt						3,200,000		(400,000)
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		8,113,000				8,081,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		8,113,000				8,081,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		8,113,000				8,081,000
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000	$ 400,000,000			400,000,000
Short-term		0				0
Long-term		396,424,000				396,584,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		396,424,000				396,584,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000	400,000,000			400,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000	$ 400,000,000			$ 400,000,000
Interest rate			0.875%			0.875%
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares						$ 48.76
4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		425,000,000				$ 425,000,000
Short-term		0				0
Long-term		416,369,000				416,525,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		416,369,000				416,525,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		425,000,000				425,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		$ 425,000,000				$ 425,000,000
Interest rate		4.00%				4.00%
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares						$ 30.53
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Short-term		0				0
Long-term		298,167,000				298,357,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		298,167,000				298,357,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		300,000,000		300,000,000		300,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		300,000,000		$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate				0.75%		0.75%
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares				$ 24.95		$ 24.95
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value									$ 250,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value									250,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value									$ 250,000,000
Interest rate						4.50%
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member] | Cash Conversion Option [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	[2]								$ 22.53
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate										4.50%
Exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 22.53
Recognized non-cash loss								(52,000,000)
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member] | Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Recognized non-cash loss								52,000,000
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate										4.75%
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares) | shares											11,100,000
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		32,500,000			$ 75,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Short-term		14,994,000				14,993,000
Long-term		16,778,000				9,366,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		31,772,000				24,359,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		32,500,000			75,000,000	25,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		32,500,000			$ 75,000,000	25,000,000
Debt instrument, delayed repayment, deferment term					2 years
Debt instrument, number of installment payments | installment					10
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate					3.00%
Debt instrument, borrowing fee, percent of principal					1.00%
Debt instrument, commitment fee					0.50%
Debt instrument, prepayment premium					1.00%
Restricted cash and cash equivalents						9,200,000				$ 9,200,000
CEDA Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		30,000,000				30,000,000
Short-term		0				0
Long-term		27,778,000				27,898,000
Debt instruments, carrying value		27,778,000				27,898,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		30,000,000				30,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		30,000,000				30,000,000
Other Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value	[3]	435,963,000				506,713,000
Short-term	[3]	4,642,000				47,214,000
Long-term	[3]	429,981,000				456,181,000
Debt instruments, carrying value	[3]	434,623,000				503,395,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value	[3]	435,963,000				506,713,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value	[3]	435,963,000				506,713,000
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Credit Agricole [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity						200,000,000
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Credit Agricole [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity						250,000,000
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity						$ 300,000,000
Line of credit facility, basis spread on federal funds rate, period two						0.50%
Line of credit facility, basis spread on libor rate, period two						1.00%
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Credit Agricole [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, basis spread on base loan, period two						0.50%
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage, period two						0.25%
Line of credit facility, basis spread, period two						1.50%
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Credit Agricole [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, basis spread on base loan, period two						1.00%
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage, period two						0.35%
Line of credit facility, basis spread, period two						2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Mizuho [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity						$ 200,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity						100,000,000
August 2011 Letter of Credit [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Deutsche Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, in 2015						936,000,000
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, in 2016						1,000,000,000
Letters of Credit outstanding, amount		294,500,000				266,400,000
September 2011 Letter of Credit [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Deutsche Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity		200,000,000
Letters of Credit outstanding, amount		8,600,000				8,800,000
Bridge Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		0				18,400,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt						17,000,000
Residential Lease Program [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instruments, carrying value		$ 36,784,000				42,740,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt						7,100,000		$ (10,500,000)
Total [Member] | 0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares			5,126,775
Total [Member] | 4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares		3,275,680
Total [Member] | 0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value				$ 200,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value				200,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value				$ 200,000,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares				8,017,420
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 24
Interest rate										4.75%
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate		4.50%
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member] | Total [Member]
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares) | shares												9,531,677
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares												$ 7.8685
Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		$ 1,125,000,000				1,125,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		1,125,000,000				1,125,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent		1,110,960,000				1,111,466,000
Debt instrument, face value		1,125,000,000				1,125,000,000
Fair Value	[4]	1,253,195,000				1,063,843,000
Convertible Debt [Member] | 0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000				400,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000				400,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent		396,424,000				396,584,000
Debt instrument, face value		400,000,000				400,000,000
Fair Value	[4]	340,500,000				310,180,000
Convertible Debt [Member] | 4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		425,000,000				425,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		425,000,000				425,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent		416,369,000				416,525,000
Debt instrument, face value		425,000,000				425,000,000
Fair Value	[4]	515,903,000				432,663,000
Convertible Debt [Member] | 0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value		300,000,000				300,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value		300,000,000				300,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent		298,167,000				298,357,000
Debt instrument, face value		300,000,000				300,000,000
Fair Value	[4]	$ 396,792,000				321,000,000
Total [Member] | 0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value			$ 250,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value			250,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value			$ 250,000,000
Total [Member] | 4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value						100,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value						100,000,000
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, face value						$ 100,000,000
[1]	The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total and its affiliates as well as unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related-party balances are recorded within the "Accounts Receivable, net," "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," "Project assets - plants and land, current portion," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Accrued Liabilities", "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 6, Note 9, Note 10, and Note 11).
[2]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOjE5NDdmY2IxNDJkYTRiZjk4YTIxYzY3NTg3MTVjZWU2fFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246RTJCODMzNUZFRUU4QjAxODk2RUZBMDJGRjk4RjgyMzYM}
[3]	Other debt excludes payments related to capital leases, which are disclosed in Note 8.
[4]	The fair value of the convertible debt was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quarterly market prices as reported by an independent pricing source.

Derivative Financial Instrume50

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments	$ 10,811		$ 2,316
Derivative financial instruments	948		1,033
Derivative assets, gross amounts recognized	5,819		8,734
Derivative assets, financial instruments	5,819		2,316
Derivative assets, net amounts	0		6,418
Derivative liabilities, gross amounts recognized	11,759		3,349
Derivative liabilities, financial instruments	5,819		2,316
Derivative liabilities, net amounts	5,940		1,033
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Gain (loss) in OCI at the beginning of the period	5,942	$ (1,443)
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	257	(2,708)
Less: Gain reclassified from OCI to revenue (effective portion)	(7,002)	(1,480)
Net change in derivatives	(6,745)	(4,188)
Gain (loss) in OCI at the end of the period	(803)	(5,631)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net [Abstract]
Loss recognized in Other, net on derivatives (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	(460)	3,255
Gain (loss) recognized in Other, net	(6,315)	$ 7,515
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	189		0
Derivative Liability	1,044		724
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative asset, notional amount	5,500		23,600
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative asset, notional amount	27,900
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative asset, notional amount	8,100		18,600
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	5,630		8,734
Derivative Liability	10,715		2,625
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative asset, notional amount	76,800		12,100
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Current derivative assets	189		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Current derivative assets	5,630		8,734
Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments	33		141
Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments			222	$ 0
Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments	10,556		2,175
Other long-term liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Current derivative liabilities			450
Other long-term liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Current derivative liabilities	789		$ 583
Other long-term liabilities [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments	$ 159

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jan. 03, 2016
Geographic distribution of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees:
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	$ (97,472)	$ (28,890)
Deferred tax benefit (expense)
Provision for income taxes	(3,181)	$ (2,351)
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 42,839		$ 43,297

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (De

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2012
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders	$ (85,409)	$ (9,581)
Basic weighted-average common shares (in shares)	137,203,000	132,033,000
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.07)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (85,409)	$ (9,581)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Diluted weighted-average common shares	(137,203,000)	(132,033,000)
Dilutive net income (loss) per share	$ (0.62)	$ (0.07)
4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	13,922,000
Stock options [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	149,000	190,000
Restricted stock units [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	3,816,000	3,616,000
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	6,367,000	6,908,000
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share		11,096,000
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	12,026,000	12,026,000
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Outstanding anti-dilutive potential common stock excluded from income (loss) per diluted share	8,203,000	8,203,000
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Debentures due		0
4.00% debentures due 2023 [Member] [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract]
Interest expense incurred on debentures	$ 0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Debentures due	0
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract]
Interest expense incurred on debentures	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Debentures due	0	0
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract]
Interest expense incurred on debentures	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Debentures due	0	0
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Bond Hedge [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares)			11,100,000
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Warrants	0	0
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member] | Total [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares)					9,531,677
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)					$ 7.8685
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)				$ 24
Stock options [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Restricted stock units	0	0
Restricted stock units [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Restricted stock units	0	0

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 16,520	$ 13,546
Restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	17,433	14,504
Change in stock-based compensation capitalized in inventory [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	(913)	(958)
Cost of revenue [Member] | Residential leases [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	827	922
Cost of revenue [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	652	388
Cost of revenue [Member] | Power Plant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,646	1,256
Research and development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,032	2,273
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 9,363	$ 8,707

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2016segments	Dec. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	6,306	58,831
Number of Reportable Segments | segments			3
Cost of revenue	$ 333,338	$ 350,053
Gross margin	51,537	90,818
Depreciation and amortization	(33,826)	(28,604)
Revenue	384,875	440,871
Stock-based compensation expense	16,520	13,546
Stock-based compensation	16,520	13,546
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	(9,900)
Non-cash interest expense	(346)	(4,680)
Cash Interest Expense, Net of Interest Income	(12,184)	(11,092)
Provision for income taxes	(3,181)	(2,351)
Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders	$ (85,409)	$ (9,581)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	(11,954)	1,930
Solar power systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenue	$ 75,063	$ 92,367
Gross margin	20,569	23,299
Revenue	$ 95,632	$ 115,666
Residential leases [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	29,578	32,624
Cost of revenue	$ 43,097	$ 30,405
Gross margin	13,078	9,253
Revenue	$ 56,175	$ 39,658
Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	(2,440)	(6,900)
Cost of revenue	$ 45,226	$ 46,880
Gross margin	7,015	2,183
Revenue	$ 52,241	$ 49,063
Power Plant [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	(8,878)	31,177
Cost of revenue	$ 169,952	$ 180,401
Gross margin	10,875	56,083
Revenue	$ 180,827	$ 236,484
Power Plant [Member] | Prieska [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Major Customers	.11
Power Plant [Member] | 8point3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Major Customers	.28
Power Plant [Member] | Mid American Energy Holdings Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Major Customers	*	0.33
Power Plant [Member] | NRG Solar Inc. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue As Percentage Of Total Revenues			0.00%	0.00%
Revenue [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	$ (10,719)	$ 0
Profit, Operating Lease	(3,120)	0
Stock-based compensation	(16,520)	(13,546)
Revenue, Other	(8,608)	(14,170)
Gross margin [Member] | Residential leases [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin	$ 33,647	$ 32,552
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues	22.16433%	20.95748%
Gross margin, As reviewed by CODM	$ 37,583	$ 35,278
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues (As reviewed by CODM)	23.35828%	22.71252%
Gross margin [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin	$ 7,015	$ 2,183
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues	13.42815%	4.44938%
Gross margin, As reviewed by CODM	$ 8,332	$ 3,025
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues (As reviewed by CODM)	15.94916%	6.16554%
Gross margin [Member] | Power Plant [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin	$ 10,875	$ 56,083
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues	6.01404%	23.71535%
Gross margin, As reviewed by CODM	$ 13,107	$ 49,858
Gross margin, As a percentage of total revenues (As reviewed by CODM)	5.94414%	22.04019%
8point3 Energy Partners	$ 4,157
Gross margin [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Residential leases [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	485
Gross margin, Utility and power plant projects	0	$ 0
Profit, Operating Lease	(3,112)
Stock-based compensation expense	827	(922)
Gross margin, Other	(482)	1,804
Gross margin [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	0
Gross margin, Utility and power plant projects	0	0
Profit, Operating Lease	0
Stock-based compensation expense	652	(388)
Gross margin, Other	(665)	454
Gross margin [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Power Plant [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross margin, Utility and power plant projects	(3,557)	11,251
Profit, Operating Lease	0
Stock-based compensation expense	2,646	(1,256)
Gross margin, Other	(186)	3,770
Sales [Member] | Residential leases [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	151,807	155,324
Revenue, As reviewed by CODM	160,898	155,324
Sales [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	52,241	49,063
Revenue, As reviewed by CODM	52,241	49,063
Sales [Member] | Power Plant [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	180,827	236,484
Revenue, As reviewed by CODM	220,503	226,214
Sales [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Residential leases [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	1,312
Revenue, Utility and power plant project	0	0
revenue, net, operating lease	(10,403)
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Revenue, Other	0	0
Sales [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	0
Revenue, Utility and power plant project	0	0
revenue, net, operating lease	0
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Revenue, Other	0	0
Sales [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Power Plant [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
8point3 Energy Partners	13,862
Revenue, Utility and power plant project	(53,538)	10,270
revenue, net, operating lease	0
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Revenue, Other	$ 0	$ 0
JAPAN
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue As Percentage Of Total Revenues	3.00%	16.00%
REST OF WORLD [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue As Percentage Of Total Revenues	20.00%	17.00%
All Countries [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue As Percentage Of Total Revenues	100.00%	100.00%
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue As Percentage Of Total Revenues	77.00%	67.00%

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 14, 2015	Jan. 28, 2015	Apr. 03, 2016
First Philec Arbitration [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loss contingency accrual recorded			$ 48,400,000
SunPower Philippines Manufacturing LTD [Member] | First Philippine Solar Corporation [Member] | First Philec Arbitration [Member] | Judicial Ruling [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Court required payments to third party to buyout minority interests, amount	$ 23,200,000	$ 30,300,000
Damages awarded		$ 25,200,000
Mizuho [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity			200,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity			100,000,000
Credit Agricole [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity			250,000,000
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity			300,000,000
Credit Agricole [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity			$ 200,000,000