Sunedison (SUNEQ) 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SUNEDISON, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000945436	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Trading Symbol	'SUNE	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	270,966,015

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$681.20	$611.50	$1,873.90	$1,456.40
Cost of goods sold	613.3	550.9	1,733	1,296.90
Gross profit	67.9	60.6	140.9	159.5
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Marketing and administration	142.6	91.1	371.6	240.2
Research and development	13.8	18.6	45.4	54.1
Restructuring charges (reversals)	0.9	0	0.1	-5.6
Long-lived asset impairment charges	100.4	0	100.4	0
Operating loss	-189.8	-49.1	-376.6	-129.2
Non-operating expense (income):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	110.7	45.2	272.4	127.3
Interest income	-3	-0.7	-11.7	-2
Loss on convertible notes derivatives, net (see Note 5)	0	0	499.4	0
Gain on previously held equity investment	0	0	-145.7	0
Other, net	11.8	5.5	17.5	9
Total non-operating (income) expense	119.5	50	631.9	134.3
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures	-309.3	-99.1	-1,008.50	-263.5
Income tax expense	8.6	17.1	-13.9	50.2
Loss before equity in earnings of joint ventures	-317.9	-116.2	-994.6	-313.7
Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of tax	0.2	4.1	9.7	3.8
Net loss	-317.7	-112.1	-984.9	-309.9
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	34.3	4.1	46.7	9.6
Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	($283.40)	($108)	'	($300.30)
Basic loss per share (see Note 9)	($1.06)	($0.47)	($3.51)	($1.32)
Diluted loss per share (see Note 9)	($1.06)	($0.47)	($3.51)	($1.32)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss Condensed Consolided Statement of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($317.70)	($112.10)	($984.90)	($309.90)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments	-54.4	13.7	-43.5	-38.7
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	0	0.8	0	0.9
Net gain (loss) on hedging instruments	-5.1	9.7	2.2	-5.8
Net adjustments for benefit plans	-0.1	1.9	0.4	1.9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-59.6	26.1	-40.9	-41.7
Total comprehensive loss	-377.3	-86	-1,025.80	-351.6
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	34.3	4.1	46.7	9.6
Net foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests	14.7	-4.8	14.8	-2.2
Comprehensive loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	($328.30)	($86.70)	($964.30)	($344.20)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$841	$573.50
Cash committed for construction projects, including consolidated variable interest entities of $42.2 and $143.6 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	75.8	258
Restricted cash	166.4	70.1
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.5 and $4.9 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	425.4	351.5
Inventories	246.6	248.4
Solar energy systems held for development and sale, including consolidated variable interest entities of $0.0 and $104.4 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	264.4	460.1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	605.5	423.4
Total current assets	2,625.10	2,385
Investments	151	41.1
Property, plant and equipment, net:	'	'
Non-solar energy systems, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,318.1 and $1,228.6 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,656.80	1,108.70
Solar energy systems, including consolidated variable interest entities of $246.7 and $157.5 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $180.0 and $119.7 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	4,430.80	2,014.20
Restricted cash	89.9	73.8
Note hedge derivative asset	0	514.8
Goodwill and other intangible assets	769	117.1
Other assets	546.2	425.8
Total assets	10,268.80	6,680.50
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of Solar Energy non-solar energy systems debt	89.3	0
Current portion of Solar Energy systems debt, including financing and capital leaseback obligations, including consolidated variable interest entities of $7.8 and $5.8 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	708.5	357.2
Current portion of TerraForm Power debt	270.8	37.5
Current portion of Semiconductor Materials debt	2.1	2.8
Accounts payable	1,051.50	867.7
Accrued liabilities	580.8	432.7
Current portion of deferred revenue	123.4	154.7
Current portion of customer and other deposits	23.3	36.7
Total current liabilities	2,849.70	1,889.30
Solar Energy non-solar energy systems debt, less current portion	1,608.90	868.2
Solar Energy systems debt, less current portion, including financing and capital leaseback obligations, including consolidated variable interest entities of $306.6 and $234.6 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	2,426.90	1,903.10
TerraForm Power debt, less current portion	1,032.60	399.8
Semiconductor Materials debt, less current portion	205.4	7.6
Customer and other deposits, less current portion	23.6	103.3
Deferred revenue, less current portion	183.1	90
Conversion option derivative liability	0	506.5
Warrant derivative liability	0	270.5
Other liabilities	660	301
Total liabilities	8,990.20	6,339.30
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50.0 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 700.0 shares authorized, 268.7 and 266.9 issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively	2.7	2.7
Additional paid-in capital	1,546.80	457.7
Accumulated deficit	-1,106.10	-168
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-49.7	-60
Treasury stock, 0.3 and less than 0.1 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	-8	-0.2
Total SunEdison stockholders’ equity	385.7	232.2
Noncontrolling interests	892.9	109
Total stockholders’ equity	1,278.60	341.2
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$10,268.80	$6,680.50

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$4.50	$4.90
Non-solar energy systems, accumulated depreciation	1,318.10	1,228.60
Cash Committed for Construction, Variable Interest Entities	841	573.5
Property, Plant and Equipment - Solar energy systems, consolidated variable interest entities	246.7	157.5
Property, Plant and Equipment - Solar energy systems, accumulated depreciation	180	119.7
Short-term solar energy system financing, current portion of solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations, consolidated variable interest entities	7.8	5.8
Long-term solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations, consolidated variable interest entities	306.6	234.6
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	700,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	268,700,000	266,900,000
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Treasury Stock, Shares	0.03	0.01
Variable Interest Entity (VIE) or Potential VIE, Information Unavailability [Member]	'	'
Cash Committed for Construction, Variable Interest Entities	$42.20	$143.60

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	$984.90	$309.90
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	260.9	192.4
Stock-based compensation	28.4	23
Expense for deferred taxes	41.2	-40.2
Deferred revenue	-142.3	-25.2
Loss on convertible notes derivatives, net	499.4	0
Gain on previously held equity investment	-145.7	0
Long-lived asset impairment charges	100.4	0
Other non-cash	-12.9	3.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	22.2	-95
Inventories	-2.7	44.4
Solar energy systems held for development and sale	-114.3	-156.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-166.9	-59
Accounts payable	-164.6	105.9
Deferred revenue for solar energy systems	179.9	-59.2
Customer and other deposits	-54.5	-39.5
Accrued liabilities	114.1	49.4
Other long term liabilities	29.6	-38.1
Other	25	16.4
Net cash used in operating activities	-570.1	-307.6
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-181.8	-101.2
Construction of solar energy systems	-1,028.30	-261.3
Purchases of cost and equity method investments	-53.8	-46.6
Net proceeds from equity method investments	12.5	68.4
Change in restricted cash	-45.6	-12.4
Change in cash committed for construction projects	141.8	-129.6
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-414.7	-7.3
Receipts from vendors for deposits and loans	0	0.6
Other	2.9	-4.9
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,572.80	-484.5
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	600	0
Proceeds from SSL term loan	210	0
Proceeds from solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations	1,807.70	626.4
Principal payments on long term debt	-11.1	-1.4
Repayments of solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations	-821	-64.4
Payments for note hedge	-173.8	0
Proceeds from warrant transactions	123.6	0
Net repayments of customer deposits related to long-term supply agreements	0	-51.7
Proceeds from TerraForm IPO and private placement transactions	592.1	0
Proceeds from SSL IPO and private placement transactions	185.3	0
Common stock issued and repurchased	4.6	239.6
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests	32.8	25.9
Cash paid for contingent consideration for acquisitions	-3.8	-0.8
Debt financing fees	-121.6	-25.6
Other	-3.5	-1.4
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,421.30	746.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-10.9	-7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	267.5	-52.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	573.5	553.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	841	501.3
Supplemental schedule of non-cash of financing activities:	'	'
Contingent consideration provided for acquisition	14	22.4
Net debt transferred to and assumed by buyer upon sale of solar energy systems	$318.90	$55.50

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SunEdison, Inc. and subsidiaries ("SunEdison"), in our opinion, include all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring items) necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. SunEdison has presented the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (the "SEC's") requirements for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and consequently, these financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which contains SunEdison's audited financial statements for such year. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SunEdison include the consolidated results of TerraForm Power, Inc. ("TerraForm") and SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. ("SSL"), which are each separate SEC registrants. The results of TerraForm are reported as our TerraForm Power reportable segment, and the results of SSL are reported as our Semiconductor Materials reportable segment, as described in Note 16. References to "SunEdison", "we", "our" or "us" within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements refer to the consolidated reporting entity.
	Reclassifications
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for prior periods contain certain reclassifications to conform to the presentation used in the current period. In our December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements, we revised our presentation of cash and cash equivalents to separately disclose cash committed for construction projects. As a result, amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have been revised from the amounts previously reported to reflect this presentation.
	Use of Estimates
	In preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we use estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and disclosures. Estimates are used when accounting for investments; depreciation; amortization; leases; asset impairments; accrued liabilities including restructuring, warranties, and employee benefits; derivatives, including the embedded conversion option, note hedges, and warrants associated with our outstanding senior convertible notes; stock-based compensation; income taxes; solar energy system installation and related costs; percentage-of-completion on long-term construction contracts; the fair value of assets and liabilities recorded in connection with business combinations; and asset valuations, including allowances, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the recording of revenue, costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, our future results of operations would be affected.
	New Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 limits the requirement to report discontinued operations to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures concerning discontinued operations, disclosures of certain financial results attributable to a disposal of a significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting and expanded disclosures for long-lived assets classified as held for sale or disposed of. ASU 2014-08 is effective for us on a prospective basis in our first quarter of fiscal 2015. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or assets classified as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-08 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 is effective for us on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have not determined which transition method we will adopt, and we are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate, at each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and to provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for us for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	2. INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of the following:
		As of		As of
	In millions	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Raw materials and supplies	$	65.1	$	114.7
	Goods and work in process	120.6		98.8
	Finished goods	60.9		34.9
	Total inventories	$	246.6	$	248.4

Solar_Energy_Systems_Held_for_

Solar Energy Systems Held for Development and Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Solar Energy Systems Held For Development and Sale [Abstract]	'
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SALE [Text Block]	'
	3. SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS HELD FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SALE
	Solar energy systems held for development and sale (including consolidated variable interest entities, "VIEs") consist of the following:
		As of		As of
	In millions	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Under development	$	264.4	$	419.7
	Systems held for sale	—		40.4
	Total solar energy systems held for development and sale	$	264.4	$	460.1

4_Acquisitions_Acquisitions

(4) Acquisitions Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisition Footnote [Abstract]	'
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	4. ACQUISITIONS
	SMP Ltd.
	In February 2011, we entered into a joint venture (SMP Ltd. or "SMP") with Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd. ("SFC") for the construction and operation of a new facility to produce high purity polysilicon in Ulsan, South Korea. SMP will manufacture and supply polysilicon to us and to international markets. Prior to May 28, 2014, our ownership interest in SMP was 50% and Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd. owned the other 50%. Also prior to May 28, 2014, we accounted for our interest in SMP using the equity method of accounting.
	In September 2011, we executed a Supply and License Agreement with SMP under which we license and sell to SMP certain technology and related equipment used for producing polysilicon. In accordance with the Supply and License Agreement, we have received proceeds based on certain milestones we have achieved throughout the construction, installation and testing of the equipment, which we expect to continue through the first half of 2015. Proceeds received from SMP under the Supply and License Agreement were recorded as a reduction in our basis in the SMP investment and to the extent that our basis in the investment was zero, the remaining proceeds received were recorded as a long-term liability. The cash received was recorded as an investing inflow within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. As of May 28, 2014, our net equity method investment balance in SMP was $13.3 million.
	On May 28, 2014, we acquired from SFC an approximate 35% interest in SMP for a cash purchase price of 144 billion South Korean won (approximately $140.7 million, or $71.2 million, net of cash acquired). Prior to the completion of the SSL IPO (see Note 17), SunEdison contributed this approximate 35% interest in SMP to SSL. As a result, on a consolidated basis, we own an approximate 85% interest in SMP, and effectively control SMP's operations, and thus SMP's results are included in our consolidated financial statements from May 28, 2014 onwards. Further, we applied the provisions of U.S. GAAP applicable to business combinations as of the acquisition date, which resulted in the recognition of SMP's net assets acquired and our previously held equity interest at fair value. The remeasurement of the previously held equity interest at the acquisition date resulted in a net gain of $145.7 million that was recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	The initial accounting for this business combination is not complete because the evaluation necessary to assess the fair values of SMP, our previously held equity interest in SMP and certain net assets acquired, is in process. The provisional amounts are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed to the extent that any additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Accordingly, the net gain resulting from the remeasurement of our previously held equity interest is subject to change.
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities is as follows:
	In millions	Total Estimated Allocation
	Current assets	$	80.8
	Property, plant and equipment (non-solar energy systems)	661.8
	Other assets, including goodwill and intangible assets	127.4
	Total assets acquired	870
	Accounts payable	134.8
	Accrued and other liabilities	5.1
	Solar energy non-solar energy systems debt	381.9
	Total liabilities assumed	521.8
	Noncontrolling interest	51.2
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	297
	TerraForm Acquisitions
	Mt. Signal
	Effective July 2, 2014, TerraForm acquired a controlling interest in Imperial Valley Solar 1 Holdings II, LLC, which owns a 266 MW utility scale solar energy system located in Mt. Signal, California ("Mt. Signal"). TerraForm acquired Mt. Signal from an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Silver Ridge Power, LLC ("SRP") in exchange for share based consideration in TerraForm consisting of (i) 5,840,000 Class B1 units (and a corresponding number of shares Class B1 common stock) equal in value to $146.0 million and (ii) 5,840,000 Class B units (and a corresponding number of shares Class B common stock) equal in value to $146.0 million.
	Prior to the TerraForm IPO (see Note 18), SRP was owned 50% by R/C US Solar Investment Partnership, L.P. (“Riverstone”) and 50% by SunEdison, who acquired all of AES US Solar, LLC (“AES Solar”), a subsidiary of The AES Corporation, equity ownership interest in SRP (see "Silver Ridge Power, LLC" section below). In connection with its acquisition of AES Solar's interest in SRP, SunEdison entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the "MTA") with Riverstone pursuant to which the parties agreed to sell Mt. Signal to TerraForm and to distribute the Class B units (and shares of Class B common stock) to SunEdison and the Class B1 units (and shares of Class B1 common stock) to Riverstone.
	Other TerraForm Acquisitions
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, TerraForm completed the acquisitions of 100% of the ownership interests in entities that owned and operated 40 solar energy systems in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with an aggregate capacity of 103 megawatts ("MW"). The aggregate consideration paid for these acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $209.7 million. These acquisitions were made in order to support the development of TerraForm's initial portfolio of renewable energy generation assets.
	The initial accounting for these business combinations is not complete because the evaluation necessary to assess the fair values of certain net assets acquired is in process. The provisional amounts are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed to the extent that any additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities is as follows:
	In millions	Mt. Signal		Other TerraForm Acquisitions		Total Estimated Allocation
	Accounts receivable	$	10	$	5.9	$	15.9
	Solar energy systems	643.1		205.3		848.4
	Restricted cash	22.2		11.7		33.9
	Intangible assets	121.5		119.2		240.7
	Other assets	14.1		2.2		16.3
	Total assets acquired	810.9		344.3		1,155.20
	Accounts payable	29.6		4.3		33.9
	Solar Energy systems debt	413.5		112.9		526.4
	Other liabilities	3		16		19
	Total liabilities assumed	446.1		133.2		579.3
	Non-controlling interest	73.1		1.4		74.5
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	291.7	$	209.7	$	501.4
	The preliminary purchase accounting resulted in the recording of provisional amounts for long-term power purchase agreements totaling $240.7 million. The long-term power purchase agreements are intangible assets subject to amortization with no residual value. The estimated fair values were determined based on an income approach and the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets range from 15 to 25 years.
	Silver Ridge Power, LLC
	On July 2, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 50% of the outstanding limited liability company interests of SRP from AES Solar for total cash consideration of $178.6 million. The remaining 50% of the outstanding limited liability company interests of SRP will continue to be held by Riverstone. SRP’s solar power plant operating projects include the Mt. Signal solar project. Concurrently with entry into the Acquisition Agreement, we also entered into the MTA with Riverstone. Pursuant to the MTA, concurrently with the closing of the TerraForm IPO, SRP contributed Mt. Signal to the operating entity of TerraForm in exchange for total consideration valued at $292.0 million. Consequently, Mt. Signal is consolidated by TerraForm as discussed above and is excluded from the following provisional accounting for the acquired interest in SRP
	Through our acquisition of this interest in SRP, we acquired 50% of (i) 336 MW of solar power plant operating projects and (ii) a 40% interest in CSOLAR IV West, LLC (“CSolar”), which is currently developing a 183 MW solar power facility with an executed power purchase agreement in place with a high-credit utility off-taker. Pursuant to the MTA, concurrently with the closing of the TerraForm IPO, the parties also entered into a purchase and sale agreement with respect to CSolar. The purchase and sale agreement provides that, following completion of CSolar, which is expected in 2016, and subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals, we will acquire Riverstone’s share of SRP’s interest in CSolar. Thereafter, we intend to contribute 100% of SRP’s 40% interest in CSolar to TerraForm.
	The initial accounting for this business combination is not complete because the evaluation necessary to assess the fair values of certain net assets acquired is in process. The provisional amounts are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed to the extent that any additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities for SRP, excluding Mt. Signal, is as follows:
	In millions	Total Estimated Allocation
	Current assets	$	132.2
	Solar energy systems	508.2
	Intangible assets	253.4
	Other assets	212.4
	Total assets acquired	1,106.20
	Current liabilities	53.1
	Solar energy systems debt	696.3
	Other liabilities	308.4
	Total liabilities	1,057.80
	Non-controlling interest	15.8
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	32.6
	The preliminary purchase accounting resulted in the recording of provisional amounts for long-term power purchase agreements totaling $253.4 million. The long-term power purchase agreements are intangible assets subject to amortization with no residual value. The estimated fair values were determined based on an income approach and the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets range from 17 to 19 years.
	In addition, we also obtained the right, but not an obligation, to acquire AES Solar’s 50% interest in a portfolio of projects located in Italy prior to August 31, 2015 for a purchase price of $42.0 million, subject to certain specified adjustments. We also assumed responsibility for operations and management and asset management for SRP’s entire projects portfolio. We will determine in the future whether these projects will be held on our balance sheet or, subject to Riverstone’s consent, sold to third parties.
	Energy Matters Pty. Ltd.
	On August 29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the ownership interest in Energy Matters Pty. Ltd. ("Energy Matters"), a residential and distributed generation solar entity with operations in Australia and New Zealand. We acquired Energy Matters in exchange for total consideration of $18.4 million, consisting of cash payments totaling $3.1 million ($2.4 million, net of cash acquired) and contingent consideration valued at $14.0 million, with a remaining $1.3 million in cash to be paid in the first quarter of 2015. The initial accounting for this business combination is not complete because the evaluation necessary to assess the fair values of certain net assets acquired, along with the fair value of contingent consideration, is in process. The provisional amounts are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed to the extent that any additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.
	Pro forma results of operations, assuming all acquisitions were made at January 1, 2013 are not presented as the effects of these acquisitions were not material to our results.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	5. DEBT AND LEASEBACK OBLIGATIONS
	Debt (including VIEs) and leaseback obligations outstanding consist of the following:
			As of September 30, 2014								As of December 31, 2013
	In millions		Total		Current and Short-Term			Long-Term			Total		Current and Short-Term		Long-Term
	Solar Energy debt, non-solar energy systems:
	Convertible senior notes due 2018, net of discount		$	478.9	$	—		$	478.9		$	460	$	—	$	460
	Convertible senior notes due 2020, net of discount		424.1		—			424.1			—		—		—
	Convertible senior notes due 2021, net of discount		423.8		—			423.8			408.2		—		408.2
	SMP Ltd. credit facilities (a)		371.4		89.3			282.1			—		—		—
	Total solar energy debt, non-solar energy systems		$	1,698.20	$	89.3		$	1,608.90		$	868.2	$	—	$	868.2
	Solar Energy systems debt, including financing and capital leaseback obligations (b):
	Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate of 6.55% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively		$	121.8	$	121.8		$	—		$	68.9	$	68.9	$	—
	System pre-construction, construction and term debt		1,435.70		577.6			858.1			677.8		268.6		409.2
	Capital leaseback obligations		82.6		3.4			79.2			94		4.5		89.5
	Financing leaseback obligations		1,385.30		5.7			1,379.60			1,297.70		15.1		1,282.60
	Other system financing transactions		110		—			110			121.9		0.1		121.8
	Total solar energy debt, including financing and capital leaseback obligations, solar energy systems		$	3,135.40	$	708.5		$	2,426.90		$	2,260.30	$	357.2	$	1,903.10
	TerraForm Power debt (a):
	TerraForm term facility		$	299.3	$	3		$	296.3		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Other system financing transactions		1,004.10		267.8			736.3			437.3		37.5		399.8
	Total TerraForm Power debt		$	1,303.40	$	270.8		$	1,032.60		$	437.3	$	37.5	$	399.8
	Semiconductor Materials debt (a):
	Long-term notes		$	207.5	$	2.1		$	205.4		$	10.4	$	2.8	$	7.6
	Total Semiconductor Materials debt		$	207.5	$	2.1		$	205.4		$	10.4	$	2.8	$	7.6
	Total debt outstanding		$	6,344.50	$	1,070.70		$	5,273.80		$	3,576.20	$	397.5	$	3,178.70
	(a) Non-recourse to SunEdison
	(b) Includes $40.3 million and $60.2 million of debt with recourse to SunEdison as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
	Solar Energy Debt, Non-solar Energy Systems
	Convertible Senior Notes Due 2018 and 2021
	On December 20, 2013, we issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2018 (the "2018 Notes") and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% convertible senior notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes", and together with the 2018 Notes, the "2018/2021 Notes") in a private placement offering. We received net proceeds, after payment of debt financing fees, of $1,167.3 million in the offering, before the redemption of the $550.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% senior notes due 2019 and the repayment of the $200.0 million outstanding aggregate principle amount of the 10.75% second lien term loan and before payment of the net cost of the call spread overlay described below.
	Interest on the 2018 Notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2014. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on July 1, 2014. The 2018 Notes and the 2021 Notes mature on October 1, 2018 and January 1, 2021, respectively, unless earlier converted or purchased.
	The 2018/2021 Notes are convertible at any time until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding July 1, 2018 (in the case of the 2018 Notes) or October 1, 2020 (in the case of the 2021 Notes) only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending March 31, 2014, if the closing sale price of our common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which the conversion occurs, is more than 120% of the conversion price of the 2018/2021 Notes in effect on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five consecutive business day period following any 10 consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price for the 2018/2021 Notes for each such trading day is less than 98% of the closing sale price of our common stock on such trading day multiplied by the applicable conversion rate on such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. As condition (1) was met during the third quarter of 2014, the 2018/2021 Notes were convertible as of September 30, 2014. On and after July 1, 2018 (in the case of the 2018 Notes) or October 1, 2020 (in the case of the 2021 Notes) and until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately prior to the applicable stated maturity date, the 2018/2021 Notes are convertible regardless of the foregoing conditions based on an initial conversion price of $14.62 per share of our common stock.
	The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in certain events, such as distributions of dividends or stock splits. The 2018/2021 Notes are convertible only into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof at our election. However, we were required to settle conversions solely in cash until we obtained the requisite approvals from our stockholders to (i) amend our restated certificate of incorporation to sufficiently increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock to permit the conversion and settlement of the 2018/2021 Notes into shares of our common stock, and (ii) authorize the issuance of the maximum numbers of shares described above in accordance with the continued listing standards of The New York Stock Exchange. At our annual stockholders meeting on May 29, 2014, the requisite majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock approved these measures, and we subsequently filed a related amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Holders may also require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2018/2021 Notes upon a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture agreement, at a cash repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of certain events of default, such as our failure to make certain payments, pay debts as they become due or perform or observe certain obligations thereunder, the trustee or holders of a specified amount of then-outstanding 2018/2021 Notes will have the right to declare all amounts then outstanding due and payable. We may not redeem the 2018/2021 Notes prior to the applicable stated maturity date.
	The 2018/2021 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2018/2021 Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries.
	From December 20, 2013 through May 29, 2014, the period in which we would have been required to settle conversions in cash if exercised, the embedded conversion options (the "2018/2021 Conversion Options") within the 2018/2021 Notes were separated from the 2018/2021 Notes and accounted for separately as derivative instruments (derivative liabilities) with changes in fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, as further discussed in the Loss on Convertible Notes Derivatives section below. Upon obtaining the requisite approvals from our stockholders discussed above, the 2018/2021 Conversion Options were considered equity instruments. Thus, as of May 29, 2014, the 2018/2021 Conversion Options were remeasured at fair value, or $888.4 million, with the change in fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, and the resulting fair value of the 2018/2021 Conversion Options was reclassified to Stockholders' Equity. Changes in fair value subsequent to May 29, 2014 will not be recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as long as the instruments continue to qualify to be classified as equity.
	Call Spread Overlay for Convertible Senior Notes Due 2018 and 2021
	Concurrent with the issuance of the 2018/2021 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated convertible note hedge transactions (collectively, the "2018/2021 Note Hedges") and warrant transactions (collectively, the "2018/2021 Warrants" and together with the 2018/2021 Note Hedges, the “2018/2021 Call Spread Overlay”), with certain of the initial purchasers of the 2018/2021 Notes or their affiliates. Assuming full performance by the counterparties, the 2018/2021 Call Spread Overlay is designed to effectively reduce our potential payout over the principal amount on the 2018/2021 Notes upon conversion.
	Under the terms of the 2018/2021 Note Hedges, we purchased from affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the 2018/2021 Notes options to acquire, at an exercise price of $14.62 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, up to 82.1 million shares of our common stock. Each 2018/2021 Note Hedge is a separate transaction, entered into by us with each option counterparty, and is not part of the terms of the 2018/2021 Notes. Each 2018/2021 Note Hedge is exercisable upon the conversion of the 2018/2021 Notes and expires on the corresponding maturity dates of the 2018/2021 Notes. The option counterparties are generally obligated to settle their obligations to us upon exercise of the 2018/2021 Note Hedges in the same manner as we satisfy our obligations to holders of the 2018/2021 Notes.
	Under the terms of the 2018/2021 Warrants, we sold to affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the 2018/2021 Notes warrants to acquire, on the stated expiration date of each 2018/2021 Warrant, up to 82.1 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $18.35 and $18.93 per share, respectively, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Each 2018/2021 Warrant transaction is a separate transaction, entered into by us with each option counterparty, and is not part of the terms of the 2018/2021 Notes.
	From December 20, 2013 through May 29, 2014, the period in which we would have been required to settle the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants in cash if exercised, these instruments were required to be accounted for as derivative instruments with changes in fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, as further discussed in the Loss on Convertible Notes Derivatives section below. Upon obtaining the requisite approvals from our stockholders discussed above, the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants were considered equity instruments. Thus, as of May 29, 2014, the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants were remeasured at fair value (asset of $880.0 million and liability of $753.3 million respectively), with the changes in fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, and the resulting fair values of the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants were reclassified to Stockholders' Equity. Changes in fair value subsequent to May 29, 2014 will not be recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as long as the instruments continue to qualify to be classified as equity.
	The net increase in additional paid in capital during the second quarter of 2014 as a result of the reclassification of the 2018/2021 Conversion Options, 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants was $761.7 million.
	Loss on Convertible Notes Derivatives
	For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, we recognized a net loss of $499.4 million related to the change in the fair value of the 2018/2021 Conversion Options, the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants (the "2018/2021 Convertible Notes Derivatives") prior to the reclassification of these instruments to Stockholders' Equity as discussed above, which is reported in loss on convertible notes derivatives, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, as follows:
	In millions	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Conversion Options	$	381.9
	Note Hedges	(365.3		)
	Warrants	482.8
	Total loss on convertible note derivatives, net	$	499.4
	The 2018/2021 Convertible Notes Derivatives were measured at fair value as of May 29, 2014 using a Black-Scholes valuation model as these instruments are not traded on an open market.  Significant inputs to the valuation model, which have been identified as Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		Conversion Option			Note Hedges				Warrants
		Due 2018		Due 2021	Due 2018		Due 2021		Due 2018	Due 2021
	Stock price	$20.50		$20.50	$20.50		$20.50		$20.50	$20.50
	Exercise price	$14.62		$14.62	$14.62		$14.62		$18.35	$18.93
	Risk-free rate	1.34%		1.95%	1.30%		1.93%		1.45%	2.30%
	Volatility	45.00%		45.00%	45.00%		45.00%		42.00%	42.00%
	Dividend yield	—%		—%	—%		—%		—%	—%
	Maturity	2018		2021	2018		2021		2018	2021
	Further details of the inputs above are as follows:
	•	Stock price - The closing price of our common stock on May 29, 2014
	•	Exercise price - The exercise (or conversion) price of the derivative instrument
	•	Risk-free rate - The Treasury Strip rate associated with the life of the derivative instrument
	•	Volatility - The volatility of our common stock over the life of the derivative instrument
	Convertible Senior Notes Due 2020
On June 10, 2014, we issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes") in a private placement offering. We received net proceeds, after payment of debt financing fees, of $584.5 million in the offering, before payment of the net cost of the call spread overlay described below.
Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable on July 15 and January 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2015. The 2020 Notes mature on January 15, 2020, unless earlier converted or purchased.
The 2020 Notes are convertible at any time until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2019 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2014, if the closing sale price of our common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which the conversion occurs, is more than 130% of the conversion price of the 2020 Notes in effect on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five consecutive business day period following any 10 consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price for the 2020 Notes for each such trading day is less than 98% of the closing sale price of our common stock on such trading day multiplied by the applicable conversion rate on such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. The 2020 Notes were not convertible as of September 30, 2014. On and after October 15, 2019 and until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately prior to the applicable stated maturity date, the 2020 Notes are convertible regardless of the foregoing conditions based on an initial conversion price of $26.87 per share of our common stock.
The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in certain events, such as distributions of dividends or stock splits. The 2020 Notes are convertible only into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof at our election. Holders may also require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2020 Notes upon a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture agreement, at a cash repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of certain events of default, such as our failure to make certain payments or perform or observe certain obligations thereunder, the trustee or holders of a specified amount of then-outstanding 2020 Notes will have the right to declare all amounts then outstanding due and payable. We may not redeem the 2020 Notes prior to the applicable stated maturity date.
The 2020 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2020 Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries.
The embedded conversion options within the 2020 Notes are indexed to our common stock and thus were classified as equity instruments upon issuance of the 2020 Notes. The initial fair value of the embedded conversion options was recognized as a reduction in the carrying value of the 2020 Notes in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and such discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense over the term of the 2020 Notes. Subsequent changes in fair value are not recognized as long as the instruments continue to qualify to be classified as equity.
Call Spread Overlay for Convertible Senior Notes Due 2020
Concurrent with the issuance of the 2020 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated convertible note hedge transactions (collectively, the "2020 Note Hedge") and warrant transactions (collectively, the "2020 Warrants" and together with the 2020 Note Hedge, the “2020 Call Spread Overlay”), with certain of the initial purchasers of the 2020 Notes or their affiliates. Assuming full performance by the counterparties, the 2020 Call Spread Overlay is meant to effectively reduce our potential payout over the principal amount on the 2020 Notes upon conversion of the 2020 Notes.
Under the terms of the 2020 Note Hedge, we bought from affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the 2020 Notes options to acquire, at an exercise price of $26.87 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, up to 22.3 million shares of our common stock. Each 2020 Note Hedge is a separate transaction, entered into by us with each option counterparty, and is not part of the terms of the 2020 Notes. Each 2020 Note Hedge is exercisable upon the conversion of the 2020 Notes and expires on the corresponding maturity dates of the 2020 Notes.
Under the terms of the 2020 Warrants, we sold to affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the 2020 Notes warrants to acquire, on the stated expiration date of each Warrant, up to 22.3 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $37.21 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Each 2020 Warrant transaction is a separate transaction, entered into by us with each option counterparty, and is not part of the terms of the 2020 Notes.
The 2020 Note Hedge and 2020 Warrants are indexed to our common stock and thus were classified as equity instruments upon issuance and recognized at fair value based on the negotiated transaction prices. Subsequent changes in fair value are not recognized as long as the instruments continue to qualify to be classified as equity.
Bridge Credit Facility
On December 20, 2013, we entered into a credit agreement with the lenders identified therein and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, lender, and letter of credit issuer (the “Bridge Credit Facility”). The Bridge Credit Facility provided for a senior secured letter of credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $320.0 million and had a term ending December 15, 2014. The purpose of the Bridge Credit Facility was to backstop outstanding letters of credit issued by Bank of America, N.A. under our former revolving credit facility, which was terminated simultaneously with our entry into the Bridge Credit Facility (subject to our obligation to continue paying fees in respect of outstanding letters of credit).
The Bridge Credit Facility was terminated on February 28, 2014, in connection with entering into the Solar Energy credit facility discussed below. The termination of the Bridge Credit Facility resulted in the writeoff of $2.5 million in unamortized deferred financing fees, which is reported in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Solar Energy Credit Facility
On February 28, 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with the lenders identified therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint syndication agents, and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., as joint bookrunners (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provided for a senior secured letter of credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $265.0 million and has a term ending February 28, 2017. In June 2014, the parties amended the Credit Facility to increase the amount available under the Credit Facility from $265.0 million to $315.0 million. In September 2014, the parties further amended the Credit Facility to increase the amount available under the Credit Facility from $315.0 million to 355.0 million. In October 2014, the parties further amended the Credit Facility to increase the amount available under the Credit Facility from 355.0 million to 405.0 million. Also as a result of the amendment, we may request that the aggregate commitments be increased up to $800 million ($400.0 million prior to amendment), subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility will be used to backstop outstanding letters of credit issued by Bank of America, N.A. under our former revolving credit facility until they expire, as well as for general corporate purposes. In addition, the amendment to the Credit Facility will permit investments in (i) a subsidiary of the company formed for the purpose of owning subsidiaries that own and operate Alternative Fuel Energy Systems (as defined in the Credit Facility) and (ii) wind, biomass, natural gas, hydroelectric, geothermal or other clean energy generation installations or hybrid energy generation installations. We paid fees of $5.8 million upon entry into the Credit Facility, which were recognized as deferred financing fees.
Our obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries. Our obligations and the guaranty obligations of our subsidiaries are secured by first priority liens on and security interests in substantially all present and future assets of the company and the subsidiary guarantors, including a pledge of the capital stock of certain of our domestic and foreign subsidiaries.
Interest under the Credit Facility accrues on the daily amount available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit or bankers' acceptances, at an annual rate of 3.75%. Interest is due and payable in arrears at the end of each fiscal quarter and on the maturity date of the Credit Facility. Drawn amounts on letters of credit are due within seven business days, and interest accrues on drawn amounts at a base rate plus 2.75%.
The Credit Facility contains representations, covenants and events of default typical for credit arrangements of comparable size, including maintaining a consolidated leverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0 which excludes the 2018/2021 Notes and 2020 Notes(measurement commencing with the last day of the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2014) and a minimum liquidity amount (measurement commencing with the last day of the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2014) of the lesser of (i) $400.0 million and (ii) the sum of (x) $300.0 million plus (y) the amount, if any, by which the aggregate commitments exceed $300.0 million at such time. The Credit Facility also contains a customary material adverse effects clause and a cross default clause. The cross default clause is applicable to defaults on other indebtedness of SunEdison, Inc. in excess of $50.0 million, including the 2018/2021 Notes and 2020 Notes but excluding our non-recourse indebtedness.
The Credit Facility also contains mandatory prepayment and/or cash collateralization provisions applicable to specified asset sale transactions as well as our receipt of proceeds from certain insurance or condemnation events and the incurrence of additional indebtedness.
As of September 30, 2014, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility, although we had $277.8 million of outstanding third party letters of credit backed by the Credit Facility, which reduced the available capacity. Therefore, funds available under the Credit Facility were $37.2 million as of September 30, 2014.
SMP Ltd. Credit Facilities
As a result of the acquisition of an additional interest in, and resulting consolidation of, SMP Ltd. discussed in Note 4, our consolidated long-term debt now includes SMP Ltd.'s long-term debt, which consists of four non-recourse term loan facilities and a working capital revolving credit facility. The term loan facilities provide for a maximum credit amount of 475 billion South Korean won in aggregate, which translates to $452.1 million as of September 30, 2014. The credit facilities hold maturity dates ranging from March 2019 to May 2019. Principal and interest on the term loan facilities are paid quarterly, with annual fixed interest rates ranging from 4.34% to 4.71%. As of September 30, 2014, a total of $369.7 million was outstanding under the term loan facilities. The working capital revolving facility provides for borrowings of up to 3 billion South Korean won, which translates to approximately $2.9 million as of September 30, 2014. The working capital facility matures in March 2015. Interest under the working capital facility is paid quarterly and accrues at a variable rate based on the three-month South Korean bank deposit rate plus 1.87%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 4.38%. As of September 30, 2014, a total of $1.7 million was outstanding under the working capital revolving facility.
Solar Energy Systems Debt, Including Financing and Capital Leaseback Obligations
Our solar energy systems for which we have short-term and long-term debt, capital leaseback and finance obligations are included in separate legal entities. Of this total debt outstanding, $3,095.1 million relates to project specific non-recourse financing that is backed by solar energy system operating assets. This debt has recourse to those separate legal entities but no recourse to us under the terms of the applicable agreements. These finance obligations are fully collateralized by the related solar energy system assets and may also include limited guarantees by us related to operations, maintenance and certain indemnities.
Project Construction Facilities
On September 30, 2011, we amended and restated our non-recourse project construction financing revolver, which had a term of three years, from $50.0 million to $300.0 million. During 2012, due to various amendments and lenders entering and exiting the facility, the capacity was lowered from $300.0 million to $150.0 million. Additionally, under the terms of the 2012 amendments, depending on the credit ratings issued by the two credit agencies that provide ratings on the company, we were required to post, at our election, a letter of credit or surety bond equal to 15% of the total outstanding balance in order to continue to make additional borrowings under this facility. Interest on borrowings under the agreement were based on our election at LIBOR plus an applicable margin or at a defined prime rate plus an applicable margin. The construction financing revolver also required us to pay various fees, including a commitment fee. This construction financing facility was terminated in connection with the closing of the new construction facility discussed below.
On March 26, 2014, we entered into a financing agreement with certain lenders; Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent; Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as collateral agent and loan paying agent; and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as lead arranger, bookrunner, structuring bank and documentation agent (the “Construction Facility”). The Construction Facility originally provided for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an amount up to $150.0 million and has a term ending March 26, 2017. During the third quarter of 2014, the parties agreed to increase the amount available under the Construction Facility to $285.0 million. The Construction Facility will be used to support the development and acquisition of new projects in the United States and Canada. Subject to certain conditions, we may request that the aggregate commitments be increased to an amount not to exceed $300.0 million. We paid fees of $7.5 million upon entry into the Construction Facility, which were recognized as deferred financing fees.
Loans under the Construction Facility are non-recourse debt to entities outside of the project company legal entities that subscribe to the debt and are secured by a pledge of collateral of the project company, including the project contracts and equipment. Interest on loans under the Construction Facility is based on our election of either LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.5%, or a defined prime rate plus an applicable margin of 2.5%. As of September 30, 2014, the interest rate under the Construction Facility was 5.75%.
The Construction Facility contains customary representations, warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including a material adverse effects clause whereby a breach may disallow a future draw but not acceleration of payment and a cross default clause whose remedy, among other rights, includes the right to restrict future loans as well as the right to accelerate principal and interest payments. Covenants primarily relate to the collateral amounts and transfer of right restrictions.
At September 30, 2014, we had borrowed $110.2 million under the Construction Facility, which is classified under system pre-construction, construction and term debt. In the event additional construction financing is needed, we have the ability to draw upon the available capacity of our Credit Facility (discussed above). In the event additional construction financing is needed beyond the amounts available under the Credit Facility and we are unable to obtain alternative financing, or if we have inadequate net working capital, such inability to fund future projects may have an adverse impact on our business growth plans, financial position and results of operations.
System Pre-Construction, Construction and Term Debt
We typically finance our solar energy projects through project entity specific debt secured by the project entity's assets (mainly the solar energy system) with no recourse to us. Typically, these financing arrangements provide for a construction loan, which upon completion will be converted into a term loan, and generally do not restrict the future sale of the project entity to a third party buyer. As of September 30, 2014, we had system pre-construction, construction and term debt outstanding of $1,435.7 million, which is comprised of a combination of fixed and variable rate debt. The variable rate debt has interest rates tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, the Euro Interbank Offer Rate, the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate, the Johannesburg Interbank Acceptance Rate, and the Prime Rate. The variable interest rates have primarily been hedged by our outstanding interest rate swaps as discussed in Note 7. The interest rates on the these obligations range from 1.6% to 14.0% and have maturities that range from 2014 to 2033. The weighted average interest rate on the same construction and term debt was 4.29% as of September 30, 2014.
As of September 30, 2014, $642.0 million in non-recourse project debt was assumed in the acquisition of SRP as discussed in Note 4. The weighted average interest rate on this debt was 3.26% as of September 30, 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, legislation changes in Italy introduced modifications in the feed in tariff programs that were previously guaranteed by the Italian government.  These modifications resulted in an event of default for four of SRP's Italian credit facilities, and thus $361.3 million of this amount is reported in current liabilities as of September 30, 2014. We intend to seek a waiver from the lender or restructure these facilities.
During the second quarter of 2012, we violated covenants on two non-recourse solar energy system loans as a result of devaluation in the Indian Rupee. The solar energy systems for these two project companies collateralize the loans and there is no recourse outside of these project companies for payment. On September 28, 2012, we obtained a waiver from the lender for the covenant violations, which had a grace period which expired on November 20, 2013. On July 4, 2014, we amended our loan agreements which included revisions to the financial covenants applicable to future periods and obtained a waiver for all prior covenant violations. As of September 30, 2014, we were again in violation of covenants for these two loans, and we intend to seek a waiver from the lender. The amount outstanding of $22.1 million under both loans was classified as current as of September 30, 2014.
Capital Leaseback Obligations
We are party to master lease agreements that provide for the sale and simultaneous leaseback of certain solar energy systems constructed by us. As of September 30, 2014, we had $82.6 million of capital lease obligations outstanding. Generally, this classification occurs when the term of the lease is greater than 75.0% of the estimated economic life of the solar energy system and the transaction is not subject to real estate accounting. The terms of the leases are typically 25 years with certain leases providing terms as low as 10 years and providing for early buyout options. The specified rental payments are based on projected cash flows that the solar energy system will generate. We have not entered into any arrangements that have resulted in accounting for the sale leaseback as a capital lease since November 2009.
Financing Leaseback Obligations
For certain transactions we account for the proceeds of sale leasebacks as financings, which are typically secured by the solar energy system asset and its future cash flows from energy sales, but without recourse to us under the terms of the arrangement. The structure of the repayment terms under the lease results in negative amortization throughout the financing period, and we therefore recognize the lease payments as interest expense. The balance outstanding for sale leaseback transactions accounted for as financings as of September 30, 2014 is $1,385.3 million, which includes the below mentioned transactions. The maturities range from 2021 to 2039 and are collateralized by the related solar energy system assets with a carrying amount of $1,313.5 million.
On March 31, 2011, one of our project subsidiaries executed a master lease agreement with a U.S. financial institution which provides for the sale and simultaneous leaseback of certain solar energy systems constructed by us. The total capacity under this agreement is $124.4 million, of which $123.6 million is outstanding and $0.8 million is available as of September 30, 2014. The specified rental payments under the master lease agreement are based on projected cash flows that the solar energy systems generate.
On September 24, 2012, one of our project subsidiaries executed a master lease agreement with a U.S. financial institution which provides for the sale and simultaneous leaseback of certain solar energy systems constructed by us. The total capacity under this agreement was $101.4 million, of which $94.7 million is outstanding and $6.7 million was available as of September 30, 2014. The specified rental payments under the master lease agreement are based on projected cash flows that the solar energy systems generate.
Other System Financing Transactions
Other system financing transactions represent the cash proceeds that we received in connection with an executed solar energy system sales contract that has not met the sales recognition requirements under real estate accounting and has been accounted for as a financing. Included in other system financing is $16.9 million of proceeds collected under three separate solar energy system sales agreements with the buyer that provides the buyer with a put option that could become an obligation in the event that we are unable to fulfill certain performance warranties set to expire during 2015. The remaining portion of other system financings of $93.1 million relates to cash proceeds received in connection with separate solar energy system sales contracts for which we have substantial continuing involvement. There are no principal or interest payments associated with these transactions. Of the $93.1 million, $38.1 million relates to two projects sold in Italy which did not meet the requirements to record revenue due to an indemnification that expires in 2016. The remaining amount relates to thirteen projects sold in the U.S., Korea, and Canada.
Capitalized Interest
During the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we capitalized $10.0 million and $6.3 million of interest to the condensed consolidated balance sheet, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we capitalized $24.7 million and $12.9 million of interest, respectively.
TerraForm Power Debt
Acquisition Facility
On March 28, 2014, TerraForm entered into a credit and guaranty agreement with various lenders and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as administrative agent, collateral agent, documentation agent, sole lead arranger, sole lead bookrunner, and syndication agent (the “Acquisition Facility”). The Acquisition Facility provided for a term loan credit facility in an amount up to $400.0 million and had a term ending on the earlier of August 28, 2015 and the date on which all loans under the Acquisition Facility become due and payable in full, whether by acceleration or otherwise. The Acquisition Facility was used in the purchase of certain renewable energy generation assets.
The Acquisition Facility was terminated on July 23, 2014, in connection with the closing of the TerraForm IPO (see Note 18). Upon termination of the Acquisition Facility, no writeoff of unamortized deferred financing fees was required as the amount was fully amortized.
TerraForm Credit Facilities
On July 23, 2014, in connection with the closing of the TerraForm IPO, TerraForm Operating, LLC ("Terra Operating LLC") and TerraForm Power, LLC ("Terra LLC"), both wholly owned subsidiaries of TerraForm, entered into a revolving credit facility (the "TerraForm Revolver") and a term loan facility (the "TerraForm Term Loan" and together with the TerraForm Revolver, the “TerraForm Credit Facilities”). The TerraForm Revolver provides for up to $140.0 million in senior secured revolving credit and the TerraForm Term Loan provides for $300.0 million in senior secured term loan financing.
The TerraForm Term Loan was used to repay a portion of outstanding borrowings under the Acquisition Facility. Each of TerraForm's existing and subsequently acquired or organized domestic restricted subsidiaries are guarantors under the Credit Facilities.
The TerraForm Term Loan will mature on the five-year anniversary and the TerraForm Revolver will mature on the three-year anniversary of the funding date of the TerraForm Term Loan. All outstanding amounts under the TerraForm Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, the lesser of either (a) a base rate plus 2.75% or (b) a reserve adjusted eurodollar rate plus 3.75%. For the TerraForm Term Loan, the base rate will be subject to a “floor” of 2.00% and the reserve adjusted eurodollar rate will be subject to a “floor” of 1.00%.
The TerraForm Credit Facilities provide for voluntary prepayments, in whole or in part, subject to notice periods and payment of repayment premiums. The TerraForm Credit Facilities require TerraForm to prepay outstanding borrowings in certain circumstances, subject to certain exceptions. The TerraForm Credit Facilities contain customary and appropriate representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants (subject to exceptions) by TerraForm and its subsidiaries.
The TerraForm Credit Facilities, each guarantee and any interest rate and currency hedging obligations of TerraForm or any guarantor owed to the administrative agent, any arranger or any lender under the TerraForm Credit Facilities are secured by first priority security interests in (i) all of TerraForm Operating LLC's assets and each guarantor’s assets, (ii) 100% of the capital stock of each of TerraForm’s domestic restricted subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of TerraForm's foreign restricted subsidiaries and (iii) all intercompany debt, collectively, the “Credit Facilities Collateral.”
As of September 30, 2014, we had $299.3 million in borrowings outstanding under the TerraForm Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the TerraForm Revolver.
Other System Financing Obligations
Other TerraForm Power system financing obligations primarily consist of $417.5 million of long-term debt assumed as a result of the acquisition of Mt. Signal. The senior secured notes bear interest at 6% and mature in 2038. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on June 30, 2013. A letter of credit facility was also extended to the project company to satisfy certain security obligations under the PPA, other project agreements and the notes. The facility will terminate on the earlier of July 2, 2019 and the fifth anniversary of the Mt. Signal project’s completion date.
In addition, as of September 30, 2014, $247.9 million of fixed rate non-recourse debt financing arrangements used to finance the construction of a solar power plant in Chile are included in the balance of other system financing obligations. These agreements were executed in the third quarter of 2013. The weighted average interest rate on these obligations as of September 30, 2014 was 6.92%.
Semiconductor Materials Debt
SSL Credit Facility
On May 27, 2014, SSL and its direct subsidiary (the “Borrower”) entered into a credit agreement with Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole syndication agent and, together with Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., as joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., as letter of credit issuer, and the lender parties thereto (the “SSL Credit Facility”). The SSL Credit Facility provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $210.0 million (the “SSL Term Facility”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $50.0 million (the “SSL Revolving Facility”).
Under the SSL Revolving Facility, the Borrower may obtain (i) letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances in an aggregate stated amount up to $15.0 million and (ii) swing line loans in an aggregate principal amount up to $15.0 million. The SSL Term Facility has a five year term, ending May 27, 2019, and the SSL Revolving Facility has a three-year term, ending May 27, 2017. The full amount of the SSL Term Facility was drawn on May 27, 2014 and remains outstanding. As of September 30, 2014, no amounts were drawn under the SSL Revolving Facility, and no third party letters of credit were outstanding which would have reduced the available capacity. The principal amounts of the SSL Term Facility will be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments of $0.5 million with the remainder repaid at final maturity.
The Term Facility was issued at a discount of 1.00%, or $2.1 million, which will be amortized as an increase in interest expense over the term of the Term Facility. SSL incurred approximately $9.8 million of financing fees related to the Credit Facility that have been capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the respective Term Facility and Revolving Facility.
The Borrower’s obligations under the SSL Credit Facility are guaranteed by SSL and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Borrower’s obligations and the guaranty obligations of SSL and its subsidiaries are secured by first priority liens on and security interests in certain present and future assets of SSL, the Borrower and the subsidiary guarantors, including pledges of the capital stock of certain of SSL's subsidiaries.
Borrowings under the SSL Credit Facility bear interest (i) at a base rate plus 4.50% per annum or (ii) at a reserve-adjusted eurocurrency rate plus 5.50% per annum. The minimum eurocurrency base rate for the Term Facility shall at no time be less than 1.00% per annum. Interest will be paid quarterly in arrears, and at the maturity date of each facility, for loans bearing interest with reference to the base rate. Interest will be paid on the last day of selected interest periods (which will be one, three and six months), and at the maturity date of each facility, for loans bearing interest with reference to the reserve-adjusted eurocurrency rate (and at the end of every three months, in the case of any interest period longer than three months). A fee equal to 5.50% per annum will be payable by the Borrower, quarterly in arrears, in respect of the daily amount available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances.
The SSL Credit Facility contains customary representations, covenants and events of default typical for credit arrangements of comparable size, including that SSL maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than (i) 3.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending
September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, (ii) 3.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015,
and (iii) 2.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2015. The SSL Credit Facility also contains a customary material adverse effects clause and a cross-default clauses. The cross-default clause is applicable to defaults on other
SSL indebtedness in excess of $30.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, SSL was in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Facility.
As of September 30, 2014, there was no amount outstanding under the SSL Revolving Facility and $207.5 million outstanding under the SSL Term Facility.
Long-term Notes
Long-term notes totaling $10.4 million as of December 31, 2013 were owed to a bank by SSL's Japanese subsidiary. The notes were guaranteed by us, and further secured by the property, plant and equipment of SSL's Japanese subsidiary. The original maturity dates of these loans ranged from 2014 to 2017. These long-term notes were paid in full in May 2014 using net proceeds from the SSL initial public offering and the related private placement transactions discussed in Note 17, along with the proceeds of the SSL Term Loan.
Other Financing Arrangements
We have short-term committed financing arrangements of $23.0 million at September 30, 2014, of which there was no short-term borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2014. Of this amount, $17.5 million is unavailable because it relates to the issuance of third party letters of credit. Interest rates are negotiated at the time of the borrowings.

LongLived_Asset_Impairment_Cha

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges and Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Impairment Charges	'
	6. LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
	Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges
	In the third quarter of 2014, we received offers of interest to purchase our Semiconductor Materials segment's indefinitely closed Merano, Italy polysilicon facility and the related chlorosilanes facility. These offers indicated to us that the carrying value of the assets exceeded the estimated fair value. As a result of an impairment analysis, we recognized $57.3 million of non-cash impairment charges to write down these assets to their estimated fair value. We also recognized long-lived asset impairment charges of $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to the consolidation of the semiconductor crystal operations.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, our Solar Energy segment recognized long-lived asset impairment charges of $42.4 million. Charges resulted from the impairment of certain multicrystalline solar wafer manufacturing equipment due to market indications that fair value was less than carrying value, the impairment of certain solar module manufacturing equipment following the termination of a long-term lease arrangement with one of our suppliers and the impairment of a power plant development arrangement intangible asset and work in process related to one of our solar projects.
	The charges above are recognized as long-lived asset impairment charges in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. Impairment charges were measured based on the amount by which the carrying value of these assets exceeded their estimated fair value after consideration of their future cash flows using management's assumptions (Level 3).
	Restructuring Charges (Reversals)
	Consolidation of Semiconductor Crystal Operations
	We announced a plan to consolidate our Semiconductor Materials segment's crystal operations during the first quarter of 2014. The consolidation will include transitioning small diameter crystal activities from our St. Peters, Missouri facility to other crystal facilities in Korea, Taiwan, and Italy. The consolidation of crystal activities will affect approximately 120 employees in St. Peters and is currently being implemented and is expected to be completed by the first half of 2015. Restructuring reversals of $0.5 million and restructuring charges of $3.5 million were recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and are included within restructuring charges (reversals) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	2011 Global Plan
	During the second half of 2011, the semiconductor and solar industries experienced downturns, of which the downturn in solar was more severe. In order to better align our business to the then current and expected market conditions in the semiconductor and solar markets, as well as to improve our overall cost competitiveness and cash flows across both segments, we committed to a series of restructuring actions to reduce our global workforce, right size production capacity and accelerate operating cost reductions in 2012 and beyond (the "2011 Global Plan"). These restructuring actions included reducing the total workforce by approximately 20%, shuttering our Merano, Italy polysilicon facility, reducing production capacity at our Portland, Oregon crystal facility, slowing the ramp of the Kuching, Malaysia facility, as well as consolidating our solar wafering and solar energy systems operations into a single Solar Energy business unit effective January 1, 2012. The 2011 Global Plan was substantially completed in 2012, except for certain voluntary termination benefits and ongoing negotiations with certain vendors and suppliers, including those affecting our Merano, Italy polysilicon facility, related to these restructuring activities.
	During the three month period ended September 30, 2014, $1.3 million of net charges were recognized pertaining to the 2011 Global Plan due to expenses related to various restructuring activities. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, $3.6 million of net reversals were recognized pertaining to the 2011 Global Plan primarily as a result of a reversal of liabilities related to the costs associated with the Merano, Italy polysilicon and other semiconductor facilities due to settlements of certain obligations and changes in estimates.
	Details of expenses, cash payments and expected costs related to the 2011 Global Plan are set forth in the following table:
																		As of September 30, 2014
	In millions	Accrued,		Year-to-Date			Cash			Non-Cash Settlements			Currency			Accrued September 30, 2014		Cumulative		Total Costs
		December  31, 2013		Restructuring			Payments											Costs		Expected to be Incurred
				(Reversals)Charges														Incurred
	Severance and other employee benefits	$	21.3	$	(1.5	)	$	(3.1	)	$	(0.9	)	$	(1.2	)	$	14.6	$	50.8	$	50.8
	Contract termination	40.2		—			(10.5		)	—			—			29.7		165.1		165.1
	Other	24.3		(2.1		)	(9.4		)	2			(1.3		)	13.5		46.5		46.5
	Total	$	85.8	$	(3.6	)	$	(23.0	)	$	1.1		$	(2.5	)	$	57.8	$	262.4	$	262.4

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Instru

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Instruments	'
	7. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
	Derivatives and hedging activities consist of the following:
			Assets (Liabilities or Equity) Fair Value
	In millions	Balance Sheet Classification	As of September 30, 2014			As of December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging:
	Interest rate swaps	Prepaid and other current assets	$	5.7		$	1.6
	Interest rate swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(5.7		)	(1.6		)
	Interest rate swaps	Accrued liabilities	(63.4		)	(2.4		)
	Interest rate swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	10.8			1.6
	Cross currency swaps	Prepaid and other current assets (accrued liabilities)	13.6			(2.4		)
	Cross currency swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13.6		)	2.4
	Derivatives not designated as hedging:
	Note hedges (see Note 5)	Note hedge derivative asset	$	—		$	514.8
	Conversion options (see Note 5)	Conversion option derivative liability	—			(506.5		)
	Warrants (see Note 5)	Warrant derivative liability	—			(270.5		)
	Currency forward contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	1.6			0.7
	Currency forward contracts	Accrued liabilities	(5.2		)	(11.5		)
	Interest rate swaps	Prepaid and other current assets	—			1
	Interest rate swaps	Accrued liabilities	(1.7		)	(0.2		)
			Losses (Gains)						Losses (Gains)
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	In millions	Statement of Operations Classification	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Derivatives not designated as hedging:
	Currency forward contracts	Other, net	$	10.3		$	(4.3	)	$	9.5		$	6.2
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense (income)	(0.8		)	1.1			1.5			1.4
	Note hedges (see Note 5)	Gain on convertible notes derivatives	—			—			(365.3		)	—
	Conversion options (see Note 5)	Loss on convertible notes derivatives	—			—			381.9			—
	Warrants (see Note 5)	Loss on convertible notes derivatives	—			—			482.8			—
	To mitigate the risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we utilize currency forward contracts. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Gains and losses on these foreign currency exposures are generally offset by corresponding losses and gains on the related hedging instruments, reducing our net exposure. A substantial portion of our revenue and capital spending is transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we also enter into transactions in other currencies, primarily the euro, the U.K. pound, the Japanese yen, the South African rand and certain other Asian currencies. To protect against reductions in value and volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates, we have established transaction-based hedging programs. Our hedging programs reduce, but do not always eliminate, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements. At any point in time, we may have outstanding contracts with several major financial institutions for these hedging transactions. Our maximum credit risk loss with these institutions is limited to any gain on our outstanding contracts. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, these currency forward contracts had aggregate notional amounts of $392.2 million and $401.1 million, respectively, and are accounted for as economic hedges. There were no outstanding currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	During the second quarter of 2013, we entered into a cross currency swap with a notional amount of $185.8 million accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The amounts recorded to the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as provided in the table above, represent the fair value of the net amount that would settle on the balance sheet date if the swap was transferred to other third parties or canceled by us. The effective portion of this cash flow hedging instrument during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 was recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. No ineffectiveness was recognized during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	As of September 30, 2014, we are party to certain interest rate swap instruments that are accounted for using hedge accounting. These instruments are used to hedge floating rate debt and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the interest rate swap agreements, we pay the fixed rate and the financial institution counterparties to the agreements pay us a floating interest rate. The amount recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the estimated fair value of the net amount that we would settle on September 30, 2014, if the agreements were transferred to other third parties or cancelled by us. The effective portion of these cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2014 were net losses of $0.0 million recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). There was no material amount recorded to as of December 31, 2013. There was no material ineffectiveness recorded during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, we are party to certain interest rate swap instruments that are accounted for as economic hedges. These instruments are used to hedge floating rate debt and are not accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the interest rate swap agreements, we pay the fixed rate and the financial institution counterparties to the agreements pay us a floating interest rate. The amount recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the estimated fair value of the net amount that we would settle on September 30, 2014, if the agreements were transferred to other third parties or cancelled by us. Because these hedges are deemed economic hedges and not accounted for under hedge accounting, the changes in fair value are recorded to interest expense (income) within the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	As of September 30, 2014, we have upward amortizing interest rate swap agreements that are used as an economic hedge related to several consolidated solar energy system projects for which we own 8.2% of the project companies. These instruments are used to hedge floating rate debt with a construction loan availability of $200.0 million and are not designated as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, we pay the fixed rate and the counterparty to the agreement pays us a floating interest rate. The amount recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as provided in the table above, represents the estimated fair value of the net amount that we would settle on September 30, 2014 if the agreements were transferred to other third parties or cancelled by us. Because these agreements are designated as an economic hedge and not accounted for under hedge accounting, the changes in fair value are recorded to interest expense (income) within the condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $0.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, to interest expense for fair value adjustments. These amounts are reduced in the condensed consolidated statement of operations by $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, attributable to a non-controlling interest representing the 91.8% of the project companies we do not own. We also have an upward amortizing interest rate swap agreement that is designated as a cash flow hedge related to a solar energy system project. This instrument is used to hedge floating rate debt with a construction loan availability of $185.8 million. The changes in fair value are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as provided in the table above, with any ineffectiveness recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. No such ineffectiveness was recognized during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	In connection with the senior convertible notes issued in December 2013 and June 2014 as discussed in Note 5, we entered into privately negotiated convertible note hedge and warrant transactions. Assuming full performance by the counterparties, these instruments are designed to effectively reduce our potential payout over the principal amount on the senior convertible notes upon conversion. Refer to Note 5 for additional information.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The following table summarizes the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as classified in the fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 or 3) based on the inputs used for valuation in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets:
		As of September 30, 2014													As of December 31, 2013
	Assets (liabilities) in millions	Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Interest rate swap assets	$	—			$	5.7		$	—		$	5.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	—		$	2.6
	Interest rate swap liabilities	—				(65.1		)	—			(65.1		)	—			(2.6		)	—			(2.6		)
	Currency forward contract assets	1.6				—			—			1.6			0.7			—			—			0.7
	Currency forward contract liabilities	(5.2		)		—			—			(5.2		)	(11.5		)	—			—			(11.5		)
	Cross currency swaps asset (liabilities)	—				13.6			—			13.6			—			(2.4		)	—			(2.4		)
	Note hedge derivative asset (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			514.8			—			514.8
	Conversion option derivative liability (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			(506.5		)	—			(506.5		)
	Warrant derivative liability (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			(270.5		)	—			(270.5		)
	Contingent consideration liabilities	—				—			(40.0		)	(40.0		)	—			—			(35.2		)	(35.2		)
	Total	$	(3.6	)		$	(45.8	)	$	(40.0	)	$	(89.4	)	$	(10.8	)	$	(264.6	)	$	(35.2	)	$	(310.6	)
	There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 financial instruments during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014:
	In millions		Contingent
			Consideration
			Related to
			Acquisitions
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	(24.9	)
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings (1)		(3.1		)
	Acquisitions		(22.4		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013		$	(50.4	)
	Balance December 31 2013		$	(35.2	)
	Total unrealized gains included in earnings (1)		1.7
	Acquisitions		(14.0		)
	Payments of contingent consideration		7.5
	Balance, September 30, 2014		$	(40.0	)
	The amount of total losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date		$	(3.1	)
	The amount of total gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date		$	1.7
	__________________________
	(1)	Amounts included in earnings are recorded to non-operating expense (income) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, except for the amount included in marketing and administration for the contingent consideration related to acquisitions, for which changes to the fair value were recorded to operating income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our outstanding short-term debt, long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		As of September 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
	In millions	Carrying Amount				Estimated Fair Value (1)			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value (1)
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	6,344.50			$	5,813.40		$	3,576.20		$	2,681.20
	__________________________
	(1)	Fair value of our debt, excluding our 2018, 2020 and 2021 Notes, is calculated using a discounted cash flow model with consideration for our non-performance risk (Level 3 assumptions). The estimated fair value of our 2018, 2020 and 2021 Notes were based on broker quotations (Level 1). The estimated fair value of our solar energy system debt related to sale-leasebacks is significantly lower than the carrying value of such debt because the fair value estimate is based on the fair value of our fixed lease payments over the term of the leases (Level 3 assumptions). Under real estate accounting, this debt is recorded as a financing obligation, and substantially all of our lease payments are recorded as interest expense with little to no reduction in our debt balance over the term of the lease. As a result, our outstanding sale-leaseback debt obligations will generally result in a one-time gain recognition at the end of the leases for the full amount of the debt. The timing difference between expense and gain recognition will result in increased expense during the term of the leases with a book gain at the end of the lease.

Loss_Per_Share

Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income (loss) Per Share	'
	9. LOSS PER SHARE
	For the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, basic and diluted loss per share (“EPS”) were calculated as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014						Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	In millions, except per share amounts	Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	EPS Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	$	(283.4	)	$	(283.4	)	$	(108.0	)	$	(108.0	)
	Adjustment for net income attributable to redeemable interest holder	(1.6		)	(1.6		)	—			—
	Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest							(2.4		)	(2.4		)
	Adjusted net loss to SunEdison stockholders	$	(285.0	)	$	(285.0	)	$	(110.4	)	$	(110.4	)
	EPS Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	269.8			269.8			236.9			236.9
	Loss per share	$	(1.06	)	$	(1.06	)	$	(0.47	)	$	(0.47	)
	For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, basic and diluted EPS were calculated as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	In millions, except per share amounts	Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	EPS Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	$	(938.2	)	$	(938.2	)	$	(300.3	)	$	(300.3	)
	Adjustment for net income attributable to redeemable interest holder	(5.2		)	(5.2		)	—			—
	Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest							(6.8		)	(6.8		)
	Adjusted net loss to SunEdison stockholders	$	(943.4	)	$	(943.4	)	$	(307.1	)	$	(307.1	)
	EPS Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	268.4			268.4			233.3			233.3
	Loss per share	$	(3.51	)	$	(3.51	)	$	(1.32	)	$	(1.32	)
	For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the numerator of the EPS calculation included the amount recorded to adjust a redeemable noncontrolling interest balance to redemption value.  For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, the numerator of the EPS calculation was reduced by the holder’s share of the net income of certain subsidiaries as a result of the Share Sale Agreement entered into with the noncontrolling interest holder. Similar adjustments will be required through October 15, 2014, when we will have repurchased all of the holder’s shares.
	Weighted-average shares outstanding for for all periods presented includes the impact of the issuance of 34,500,000 shares of common stock on September 18, 2013 in a registered public offering.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, all options to purchase our stock and restricted stock units and the Conversion Options and Warrants associated with the convertible senior notes (see Note 5) were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was antidilutive due to the net loss incurred for the respective periods.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	At our annual stockholders meeting on May 29, 2014, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 700 million shares.
	The following table presents the change in total stockholders' equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
	In millions	SunEdison Stockholders’					Noncontrolling				Total
		Equity					Interests
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	232.2				$	109			$	341.2
	Net loss	(938.2		)			(46.7		)		(984.9		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(26.1		)			(14.8		)		(40.9		)
	Stock plans, net	37.7					—				37.7
	Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in MKC (see Note 17)	43.4					(43.4		)		—
	TerraForm IPO and related transactions (see Note 18)	234.5					357.6				592.1
	Income tax impact of TerraForm IPO taxable gain (see Note 12)	(26.9		)			—				(26.9		)
	Acquisition of Mt. Signal (see Note 4)	146					73.1				219.1
	SSL IPO (see Note 17)	(183.6		)			368.9				185.3
	Acquisition of SRP (see Note 4)	—					15.8				15.8
	Acquisition of SMP Ltd. (see Note 4)	—					51.2				51.2
	Other activity of noncontrolling interests	(19.4		)			22.2				2.8
	Reclassification of conversion options, warrants and note hedges related to the 2018/2021 Notes (see Note 5)	761.7					—				761.7
	Recognition of conversion options, warrants and note hedges related to the 2020 Notes (see Note 5)	124.4					—				124.4
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	385.7		—		$	892.9		—	$	1,278.60
	Stock-Based Compensation
	We have equity incentive plans that provide for the award of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, performance shares, and restricted stock units to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. As of September 30, 2014, there were 16.8 million shares remaining available for future grant under these plans.
	The following table presents information regarding outstanding stock options of SunEdison, Inc. as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine month period then ended:
		Shares			Weighted-				Aggregate  Intrinsic			Weighted-
					Average				Value			Average
					Exercise Price				(in millions)			Remaining
												Contractual
												Life
												(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	23,742,764			$	6.64
	Granted	241,500			18.72
	Exercised	(2,936,133	)		5.94
	Forfeited	(721,306	)		5.17
	Expired	(101,458	)		11.29
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	20,225,367			$	6.9			$	249.2		7
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	6,900,088			$	9.36			$	73.8		6
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of options granted was $9.36 and $3.99 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The following table presents information regarding outstanding restricted stock units SunEdison, Inc. as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine month period then ended:
		Restricted  Stock			Aggregate  Intrinsic				Weighted-
		Units			Value				Average  Remaining
					(in millions)				Contractual Life
									(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	4,038,782
	Granted	4,890,925
	Converted	(1,213,639	)
	Forfeited	(473,018	)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	7,243,050			$	136.7			3
	The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock units per share on the date of grant was $18.88 and $8.74 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	During the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, we awarded 1,120,000 restricted share units, subject to achieving certain market conditions based on the Company’s stock price, to senior executives, including our CEO. The restricted share units will vest ratably on the anniversary date in 2017 and 2018 of achieving a $35.00 per share stock price for 30 consecutive trading days on or prior to June 30, 2016, or a $50.00 per share stock price for 30 consecutive trading days on or prior to June 30, 2018. Achievement of a $50.00 per share stock price for 30 consecutive trading days on or prior to June 30, 2016 will result in a 50% share multiplier for the CEO award and a 25% share multiplier for all remaining awards. If the individual stock price hurdles are not met by the dates specified above, the awards will be cancelled. The grant date fair value of these awards was $18.4 million which will be recognized as compensation cost on a straight line basis over the service period. The grant date fair value of these awards was calculated using a probabilistic approach under a Monte Carlo simulation taking into consideration volatility, interest rates and expected term. The target stock prices were not met as of September 30, 2014.
	In connection with the TerraForm IPO (see Note 18), TerraForm filed a registration statement to register the issuance of an aggregate of 8.6 million ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the equity incentive plan adopted immediately prior to the initial public offering. As of September 30, 2014, there were 4.0 million shares remaining available for future grant under this plan. The total grant date fair value of the awards granted under TerraForm's equity incentive plan during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 was $25.1 million. An immaterial amount of expense was recognized during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 related to these awards.
	In connection with the SSL IPO (see Note 17), SSL filed a registration statement to register the issuance of an aggregate of 11.0 million ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the equity incentive plan adopted immediately prior to the initial public offering. As of September 30, 2014, there were 7.9 million shares remaining available for future grant under this plan. The total grant date fair value of the awards granted under SSL's equity incentive plan during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 was $32.3 million. An immaterial amount of expense was recognized during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 related to these awards.
	Total stock-based compensation expense for the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $14.0 million and $8.8 million, respectively. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, total stock based compensation expense was $28.4 million and $22.6 million, respectively.

11_Comprehesive_Loss_Comprehen

(11) Comprehesive Loss Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	11. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	Comprehensive income (loss) represents a measure of all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events other than transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Other comprehensive loss includes foreign currency translations, gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, gains (losses) on hedging instruments and pension adjustments.
	The following tables present the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
	(In millions)	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Available-for-sale securities
	Beginning balance	$	—		$	(7.5	)	$	—		$	(7.6	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			0.8			—			0.9
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss	—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income(2)	—			0.8			—			0.9
	Balance at September 30	$	—		$	(6.7	)	$	—		$	(6.7	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments(1)
	Beginning balance	$	27.4		$	(17.5	)	$	(20.0	)	$	32.3
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(39.7		)	8.9			(28.7		)	(40.9		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(5)	—			—			36.4			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(39.7		)	8.9			7.7			(40.9		)
	Balance at September 30	$	(12.3	)	$	(8.6	)	$	(12.3	)	$	(8.6	)
	Cash flow hedges
	Beginning balance	$	(5.1	)	$	(19.8	)	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.3	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(5.1		)	9.7			2.6			(5.4		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(4)	—			—			(0.4		)	(0.4		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(5.1		)	9.7			2.2			(5.8		)
	Balance at September 30	$	(10.2	)	$	(10.1	)	$	(10.2	)	$	(10.1	)
	Benefit plans
	Beginning balance	$	(27.1	)	$	(60.2	)	$	(27.6	)	$	(60.2	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			1.9			0.8			1.9
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(3)	(0.1		)	—			(0.4		)	—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(0.1		)	1.9			0.4			1.9
	Balance at September 30	(27.2		)	(58.3		)	(27.2		)	(58.3		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30	$	(49.7	)	$	(83.7	)	$	(49.7	)	$	(83.7	)
	__________________________
	-1	Excludes foreign currency translation adjustments as it relates to noncontrolling interests. Refer to the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
	-2	Total other comprehensive income (loss) was $(44.9) million and $21.3 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(26.1) million and $(43.9) million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	-3	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to pension plans for amortization of prior service costs/credits and net actuarial gains/losses are classified in marketing and administration expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	-4	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges for realized losses on interest rate derivatives are classified in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	-5	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to noncontrolling interest related to net SSL currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests. See Note 17 for a description of the SSL IPO transaction. This reclassification is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	12. INCOME TAXES
	In general, we record income tax expense (benefit) each quarter based on our best estimate as to the full year's effective tax rate. This estimated tax expense (benefit) is reported based on a pro-ration of the actual income earned in the period divided by the full year forecasted income (loss). There are certain items, however, which are given discrete period treatment, and the tax effects of those items are reported in the quarter that such events arise. Items that give rise to discrete recognition include (but are not limited to) finalizing tax authority examinations, changes in statutory tax rates and expiration of a statute of limitations.
	The process for calculating income tax expense (benefit) includes estimating current taxes due and assessing temporary differences between the recognition of assets and liabilities for tax and financial statement reporting purposes. The income tax benefit in the nine month period ending September 30, 2014 is associated with (i) tax expense as result of worldwide operational earnings mix at various rates, (ii) a taxable gain recognized in stockholders' equity utilizing tax attributes that were previously offset with a valuation allowance, and thus as a result of intraperiod tax allocation, the tax benefit related to the reduction in the valuation allowance was recognized in continuing operations of $26.9 million, (iii) a tax benefit for the discrete reduction of the valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets of $47.4 million due to the ability to realize those benefits in the future, and (iv) a tax benefit for the establishment of deferred taxes related to certain convertible note transactions.
	The income tax expense in the three month period ending September 30, 2014 is associated with (i) tax expense as result of worldwide operational earnings mix at various rates, (ii) a taxable gain recognized in stockholders' equity utilizing tax attributes that were previously offset with a valuation allowance, and thus as a result of intraperiod tax allocation, the tax benefit related to the reduction in the valuation allowance was recognized in continuing operations of $26.9 million, and (iii) a tax benefit for the discrete reduction of the valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets of $17.8 million due to the ability to realize those benefits in the future. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for realizability, taking into consideration all available evidence, both positive and negative, including cumulative losses, projected future pre-tax and taxable income (losses), the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and the expected impact of tax planning strategies. Our total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were $83.0 million and $65.7 million, respectively. We believe that it is more likely than not, based on our projections of future taxable income in certain jurisdictions, that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets which have not been offset by a valuation allowance at September 30, 2014.
	We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we are subject to income tax audits in these jurisdictions. We believe that our tax return positions are fully supported, but tax authorities may challenge certain positions, which may not be fully sustained. Our income tax expense includes amounts intended to satisfy income tax assessments that may result from these challenges. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments and recording the related assets and liabilities requires significant judgments and estimates. Tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We review our liabilities quarterly, and we may adjust such liabilities due to proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations or new case law, negotiations between tax authorities of different countries concerning our transfer prices, the resolution of entire audits or the expiration of statutes of limitations. Adjustments, if required, are most likely to occur in the year during which major audits are closed. The total accrual for uncertain tax positions was $18.3 million and $17.1 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The undistributed earnings of a substantial number of our foreign subsidiaries are not expected to be remitted to the U.S. parent corporation in the foreseeable future. The impact of the undistributed earnings that are currently expected to be remitted to the U.S. parent corporate in the foreseeable future is not material to the consolidated financial statements and would be fully offset by valuation allowances. We plan foreign remittance amounts based on projected cash flow needs as well as the working capital and long-term investment requirements of our foreign subsidiaries and our domestic operations. Of our cash and cash equivalents and cash committed for construction projects as of September 30, 2014, $401.6 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries, a portion of which may be subject to repatriation tax effects.
	We are currently under examination by the IRS for the 2011 and 2012 tax years. We are also under examination by certain foreign tax jurisdictions. We believe it is reasonably possible that some portions of these examinations could be completed within the next twelve months and have currently recorded amounts in the financial statements that are reflective of the current status of these examinations.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	13. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	Thirteen VIEs in solar energy related entities were consolidated as of September 30, 2014. Included in the thirteen consolidated VIEs are two VIEs related to our acquisition of SRP and one VIE related to our acquisition of Mt. Signal. See Note 4 for the preliminary purchase accounting related to these acquisitions. The carrying amounts and classification of the remaining ten consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:
	In millions	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	Current assets	$	84.9	$	274.1
	Noncurrent assets	265.3		167.2
	Total assets	$	350.2	$	441.3
	Current liabilities	$	14.5	$	22
	Noncurrent liabilities	309.1		275.4
	Total liabilities	$	323.6	$	297.4
	The amounts shown in the table above exclude intercompany balances, which are eliminated upon consolidation. All of the assets in the table above are restricted for settlement of the VIE obligations and all of the liabilities in the table above can only be settled using VIE resources.

Deferred_Revenue_and_Profit

Deferred Revenue and Profit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Deferred Revenue and Profit	'
	14. REVENUE AND PROFIT DEFERRALS
	Deferred revenue consists of the following:
	In millions	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	Deferred revenue:
	Short-term profit deferrals	$	123.4	$	154.7
	Long-term profit deferrals	161.1		68.9
	Deferred subsidy revenue	22		21.1
	Total deferred revenue	$	306.5	$	244.7
	On September 30, 2013, we terminated our long-term solar wafer supply agreement with Gintech Energy Corporation (“Gintech”) originally entered into on October 25, 2006 and subsequently amended. Under the terms of the original supply agreement, we were to supply Gintech with solar wafers at agreed upon prices on a take or pay basis, and Gintech was required to advance funds to us in the form of both refundable and non-refundable deposits. As part of a separate agreement, we also acquired shares of Gintech stock and shares of stock in a related Gintech entity at amounts deemed to be less than fair value. The non-refundable deposit was recorded as deferred revenue since it could only be fully retained by us after we fulfilled our supply obligations pursuant to the supply agreement. The difference between fair value and the amounts paid for stock were also recorded as deferred revenue since this represented consideration provided by Gintech as part of the supply agreement. Throughout the term of the supply agreement, we have amortized a portion of the deferred revenue into revenue based on actual quantities delivered. As part of the settlement, Gintech agreed that we would retain $21.9 million of the non-refundable deposit without recourse. In relation to the settlement, we recognized $22.0 million of revenue during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, representing a portion of the unamortized non-refundable deposit and a portion of the unamortized difference between fair value and the amounts paid for the stock. Pursuant to the termination agreement, the remaining $35.1 million refundable deposit will be repaid to Gintech over time with payments beginning December 31, 2013 and continuing each quarter through June 30, 2016.
	On March 29, 2013, we amended a long-term solar wafer supply agreement with Tainergy Tech Co., LTD ("Tainergy"). Under the terms of the supply agreement, we were to supply solar grade silicon wafers over a ten-year period at pre-determined pricing for certain volumes on a take-or-pay basis. Tainergy had advanced funds to us in the form of both refundable and non-refundable deposits pursuant to the agreement. Tainergy did not meet its purchase obligations pursuant to the supply agreement and agreed to settle the purchase shortfalls for the first four contract years. As part of the settlement, Tainergy agreed that we would deduct and retain $25.0 million of the refundable capacity reservation deposit without recourse and as a result, we recognized $25.0 million as revenue in the first quarter of 2013. In addition to the settlement of purchase shortfalls for the first four contract years, we agreed to significantly reduce required minimum purchase volumes in the remaining six contract years, as well as to modify the pricing terms to be based on market rates similar to other SunEdison long-term solar wafer supply agreements. The remaining deposit will be refunded ratably as purchases are made over the remaining six contract years. The forfeiture of the deposit of $25.0 million, which was previously reflected as a liability, has been reflected as cash provided by operating activities and cash used in financing activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Purchase Obligations
	We maintain long-term agreements with multiple suppliers in connection with the purchase of certain raw materials and long-term agreements with multiple subcontractors to manufacture solar wafers for us.
	As part of our 2011 Global Plan, we provided notice to several of our vendors with whom we had long-term supply contracts that we would no longer be fulfilling our purchase obligations. In connection with the restructuring, we recorded significant restructuring liabilities associated with the estimated settlements arising from these actions based on management's best estimates of the ultimate outcome of these contract resolutions at that time. As of September 30, 2014, we have recorded total liabilities of $29.7 million associated with the estimated settlements arising from these purchase obligations with multiple vendors, all of which is recorded as long-term other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The amount accrued as of September 30, 2014 represents our best estimate of the probable amounts to settle all of our purchase obligations based on presently known information, which involve the use of assumptions requiring significant judgment. We estimate the range of reasonably possible losses to be up to $146.1 million, inclusive of the Wacker claims discussed below in the legal proceedings section. These estimates include the contractual terms of the agreements, including whether or not there are fixed volumes and/or fixed prices. In addition, under certain contracts, the counterparty may have a contractual obligation to sell the materials to mitigate their losses. We also included in our estimate of losses consideration around whether we believe the obligation will be settled through arbitration, litigation or commercially viable alternative resolutions or settlements. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against any arbitration or litigation. Due to the inherent uncertainties of arbitration and litigation, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome or resolution of such actions. The actual amounts ultimately settled with these vendors could vary significantly, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
	Contingent Consideration
	As of September 30, 2014, liabilities for contingent consideration were recorded and are outstanding in connection with three acquisitions. The liability recognized under these arrangements was $40.0 million as of September 30, 2014, representing the estimated fair value of these obligations. Of the $40.0 million liability, $5.5 million is recorded in accrued liabilities and $34.5 million is recorded as a long-term liability in other liabilities. The aggregate maximum payouts which could occur under these arrangements is $42.6 million in the form of cash and equity. Any future revisions to the fair value of the contingent consideration associated with business combinations outside of the measurement period, which could be material, will be recorded to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	Indemnifications
	We have agreed to indemnify certain customers against claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others in our sales contracts with these customers. Historically, we have not paid any claims under these indemnification obligations, and we do not have any pending indemnification claims as of September 30, 2014.
	We generally warrant the operation of our solar energy systems for a period of time. Certain parts and labor warranties from our vendors can be assigned to our customers. Due to the absence of historical material warranty claims and expected future claims, we have recorded an immaterial warranty accrual related to solar energy systems as of September 30, 2014. We may also indemnify our customers for tax credits and feed in tariffs associated with the systems we construct and then sell, including sale leasebacks. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, the additional payments, net of recoveries, under the terms of the lease agreements to indemnify our sale leaseback customers for shortfalls in amounts approved by the U.S. Treasury Department related to Grant in Lieu program tax credits were not material. We are working with our sale leaseback customers and the U.S. Treasury Department to recover these shortfalls. Based on current information, we are unable to estimate additional exposures to the indemnification of tax credits and feed in tariffs.
	In connection with certain contracts to sell solar energy systems directly or as sale-leasebacks, our SunEdison LLC subsidiary has guaranteed the systems' performance for various time periods following the date of interconnection. Also, under separate operations and maintenance services agreements, SunEdison LLC has guaranteed the uptime availability of the systems over the term of the arrangements, which may last up to 20 years. To the extent there are shortfalls in either of the guarantees, SunEdison LLC is required to indemnify the purchaser up to the guaranteed amount through a cash payment. The maximum losses that SunEdison LLC may be subject to for non-performance are contractually limited by the terms of each executed agreement.
	PBGC Notice
	We received a notice from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) in May 2014 that it intends to require an additional contribution to our U. S. pension plan under ERISA section 4062(e), which was transferred to SSL upon the completion of the SSL IPO (see Note 17). We have not received a formal assessment or concluded the negotiation process with the PBGC. On July 8, 2014, the PBGC announced a moratorium through the end of 2014 on the enforcement of 4062(e) cases. Therefore, we have not yet made any modifications to our U.S. pension plan assets. The U.S. pension plan was in an overfunded status on a U.S. GAAP basis as of December 31, 2013, and we have not recorded any additional amounts to fund the pension plan as a result of the PBGC notice because we believe the overfunded amount is sufficient to cover the request for contribution by the PBGC. We do not expect any final resolution with the PBGC to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
	Legal Proceedings
	We are involved in various legal proceedings, claims, investigations and other legal matters which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these matters, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
	Jerry Jones v. SunEdison, Inc., et al.
	On December 26, 2008, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri by plaintiff, Jerry Jones, purportedly on behalf of all participants in and beneficiaries of SunEdison's 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") between September 4, 2007 and December 26, 2008, inclusive. The complaint asserted claims against SunEdison and certain of its directors, employees and/or other unnamed fiduciaries of the Plan. The complaint alleged that the defendants breached certain fiduciary duties owed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, generally asserting that the defendants failed to make full disclosure to the Plan's participants of the risks of investing in SunEdison's stock and that the company's stock should not have been made available as an investment alternative in the Plan. The complaint also alleged that SunEdison failed to disclose certain material facts regarding SunEdison's operations and performance, which had the effect of artificially inflating SunEdison's stock price.
	On June 1, 2009, an amended class action complaint was filed by Mr. Jones and another purported participant of the Plan, Manuel Acosta, which raised substantially the same claims and was based on substantially the same allegations as the original complaint. However, the amended complaint changed the period of time covered by the action, purporting to be brought on behalf of beneficiaries of and/or participants in the Plan from June 13, 2008 through the present, inclusive. The amended complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, including losses the participants and beneficiaries of the Plan allegedly experienced due to their investment through the Plan in SunEdison's stock, equitable relief and an award of attorney's fees. No class has been certified and discovery has not begun. The company and the named directors and employees filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which was fully briefed by the parties as of October 9, 2009. The parties each subsequently filed notices of supplemental authority and corresponding responses. On March 17, 2010, the court denied the motion to dismiss. The SunEdison defendants filed a motion for reconsideration or, in the alternative, certification for interlocutory appeal, which was fully briefed by the parties as of June 16, 2010. The parties each subsequently filed notices of supplemental authority and corresponding responses. On October 18, 2010, the court granted the SunEdison defendants' motion for reconsideration, vacated its order denying the SunEdison defendants' motion to dismiss, and stated that it would revisit the issues raised in the motion to dismiss after the parties supplement their arguments. Both parties filed briefs supplementing their arguments on November 1, 2010. On June 28, 2011, Mr. Jones filed a notice of voluntary withdrawal from the action, and the court subsequently entered an order withdrawing Mr. Jones as one of the plaintiffs in this action. The parties each have continued to file additional notices of supplemental authority and responses thereto. On September 27, 2012, the SunEdison defendants moved for oral argument on their pending motion to dismiss, and Mr. Acosta joined in the SunEdison defendants' motion for oral argument on October 9, 2012. On March 24, 2014, the court granted our motion to dismiss but the plaintiffs filed, and the court in April 2014 granted, a motion to stay entry of final judgment pending a Supreme Court decision in a case that could have implications in this matter. That Supreme Court case was decided in June 2014, and the plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration with the district court, based on that Supreme Court decision. We believe that we continue to have good reason for a dismissal and intend to vigorously defend this motion.
	Wacker Chemie AG v. SunEdison, Inc.
	On December 20, 2012, Wacker Chemie AG (“Wacker”) filed a notice of arbitration with the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution (the “SCAI”) against the company, requesting the resolution of a dispute arising from two agreements and a subsequent settlement agreement entered into between Wacker and the company. Following a hearing before the Arbitral Tribunal where procedural matters were established by the SCAI pursuant to the parties’ agreement, on September 27, 2013, Wacker filed a complete statement of claim. In the statement of claim, Wacker alleges that we failed to comply with its contractual obligations, in particular that we failed to take or pay for certain quantities of polycrystalline silicon as required under the settlement agreement. Wacker claims a payment of 22.8 million euro plus interest for the payment of outstanding invoices and an amount of 92.2 million euro for damages it claims as a result of the alleged breach by the company, plus interest thereon. These amounts are included in the estimated range of reasonably possible losses as discussed above in the purchase obligations section. We filed our statement of defense on January 10, 2014. Wacker filed its Statement of Reply and Answer to Counterclaim on April 11, 2014.  We filed our Rejoinder and Reply on Counterclaim on June 27, 2014.  A hearing occurred in October 2014. Post-hearing briefings are scheduled to occur in November and December 2014. We intend to vigorously defend this action.
	From time to time, we may conclude it is in the best interests of our stockholders, employees, vendors and customers to settle one or more litigation matters, and any such settlement could include substantial payments; however, other than as may be noted above, we have not reached this conclusion with respect to any particular matter at this time. There are a variety of factors that influence our decision to settle any particular individual matter, and the amount we may choose to pay or accept as payment to settle such matters, including the strength of our case, developments in the litigation (both expected and unexpected), the behavior of other interested parties, including non-parties to the matter, the demand on management time and the possible distraction of our employees associated with the case and/or the possibility that we may be subject to an injunction or other equitable remedy. It is difficult to predict whether a settlement is possible, the amount of an appropriate settlement or when is the opportune time to settle a matter in light of the numerous factors that go into the settlement decision.

Reportable_Segments

Reportable Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segments	'
	16. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
	Effective July 23, 2014, in connection with the completion of the TerraForm IPO (see Note 18), we identified TerraForm Power as a new reportable segment. As a result, we now have three reportable segments: Solar Energy, TerraForm Power and Semiconductor Materials. The information in the table below has been presented on this basis for all periods presented.
	Our Solar Energy segment provides solar energy services that integrate the design, installation, financing, monitoring, operations and maintenance portions of the downstream solar market for our customers. Our Solar Energy segment also owns and operates solar power plants and manufactures polysilicon and silicon wafers and subcontracts the assembly of solar modules to support our downstream solar business, as well as for sale to external customers as market conditions dictate. Our TerraForm Power segment owns and operates clean power generation assets, both developed by the Solar Energy segment and acquired through third party acquisitions, that sell electricity through long-term power purchase agreements to utility, commercial, and residential customers. Our Semiconductor Materials segment includes the manufacture and sale of silicon wafers to the semiconductor industry.
	Additionally, effective January 1, 2014, in connection with the plan to divest a minority ownership of SSL, the subsidiary formed to own our Semiconductor Materials business, through an initial public offering, we made the following changes in our internal financial reporting in order to align our reporting with the organizational and management structure established to manage the Semiconductor Materials segment as a standalone SEC registrant:
	•	Reclassification of certain corporate costs and expenses. Prior to January 1, 2014, costs and expenses related to certain research and development and marketing activities were not allocated to the Solar Energy or Semiconductor Materials segments. These costs, as well as general corporate marketing and administrative costs, substantially all of our stock compensation expense, research and development administration costs, legal professional services and related costs, and other items were not directly attributable nor evaluated by segment and thus were included in a "Corporate and other" caption in our disclosures of financial information by reportable segment. Effective January 1, 2014, these costs and expenses have been specifically identified with the Solar Energy or Semiconductor Materials segments, and our internal financial reporting structure has been revised to reflect the results of the Solar Energy and Semiconductor Materials segments on this basis.
	•	Reclassification of the results for the company's polysilicon operations in Merano, Italy from the Solar Energy segment to the Semiconductor Materials segment. Prior to January 1, 2014, the Merano polysilicon operations were included in the results of the Solar Energy segment. Upon the effective date of the SSL IPO, the Merano polysilicon operations were transferred to the Semiconductor Materials segment. Thus, effective January 1, 2014, the Merano polysilicon operations have been managed by the management of the Semiconductor Materials segment, and the results of the Merano polysilicon operations have been reported on this basis in our internal financial reporting.
	As a result of these changes to our internal financial reporting structure, we determined that such changes should also be
	reflected in the reportable segments data disclosed in our consolidated financial statements, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The following information has been presented on this basis for all periods presented.
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	In millions	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Solar Energy	$	437.2		$	410.1		$	1,211.70		$	842.4
	TerraForm Power	53.2			5.4			83.3			13
	Semiconductor Materials	213.2			232.6			634.2			709
	Intersegment eliminations	(22.4		)	(36.6		)	(55.3		)	(108.0		)
	Consolidated net sales	$	681.2		$	611.5		$	1,873.90		$	1,456.40
	Intersegment sales:
	Solar Energy	$	21.3		$	35.9		$	53.1		$	101.8
	TerraForm Power	0.3			0.3			0.8			0.7
	Semiconductor Materials	0.8			0.4			1.4			5.5
	Consolidated intersegment sales	$	22.4		$	36.6		$	55.3		$	108
	Operating income (loss):
	Solar Energy	$	(147.8	)	$	(72.5	)	$	(329.5	)	$	(146.1	)
	TerraForm Power	20.5			2.1			31			4.6
	Semiconductor Materials	(62.5		)	21.3			(78.1		)	12.3
	Consolidated operating loss	$	(189.8	)	$	(49.1	)	$	(376.6	)	$	(129.2	)
	Interest expense:
	Solar Energy	$	84.4		$	43.9		$	213.8		$	125.1
	TerraForm Power	22.5			2			53.2			4.7
	Semiconductor Materials	3.8			0.3			5.5			0.6
	Intersegment eliminations(1)	—			(1.0		)	(0.1		)	(3.1		)
	Consolidated interest expense	$	110.7		$	45.2		$	272.4		$	127.3
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Solar Energy	$	58.9		$	39.3		$	132		$	100.6
	TerraForm Power	18.9			1.4			41.5			3.6
	Semiconductor Materials	29.3			29.9			87.4			88.2
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	107.1		$	70.6		$	260.9		$	192.4
	Capital expenditures:
	Solar Energy(2)	$	305.7		$	149.1		$	524.7		$	279.1
	TerraForm Power	128.3			—			614.1			—
	Semiconductor Materials	29.4			21.3			71.3			83.4
	Consolidated capital expenditures	$	463.4		$	170.4		$	1,210.10		$	362.5
	-1	All intersegment interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 relate to the Solar Energy segment.
	-2	Includes construction of solar energy systems of $376.6 million and $138.8 million in the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and construction of solar energy systems of $1,028.3 million and $261.3 million in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Intersegment Sales
	Intersegment sales and segment operating income (loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 reflects a change in the average effective selling price for polysilicon supplied by the Solar Energy segment to the Semiconductor Materials segment from $55 per kilogram to $30 per kilogram which was effective January 1, 2014.
	Solar Energy
	Sales of solar energy systems by the Solar Energy segment to the TerraForm Power segment are considered transfers of interests between entities under common control. Accordingly, these transactions are recorded at historical cost in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations - Related Issues. The difference between the cash proceeds from the sale and the historical carrying value of the net assets is recorded as a distribution by TerraForm to SunEdison and reduces the balance of the noncontrolling interest in TerraForm.
	During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, we recognized revenue of $25.0 million as a result of the amendment of the Tainergy long-term solar wafer supply agreement. In addition, during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 we recognized $22.0 million of revenue related to the termination of a solar wafer supply agreement with Gintech. There was no such revenue in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014. See Note 14 for further details. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, our Solar Energy segment recognized long-lived asset impairment charges of $42.4 million. There were no such charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. See Note 6 for further details.
	Semiconductor Materials
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, our Semiconductor Materials segment recognized long-lived asset impairment charges of $58.0 million. There were no such charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. See Note 6 for further details.

17_IPO_of_SunEdison_Semiconduc

(17) IPO of SunEdison Semiconductor, Inc. IPO of SunEdison SemiConductor, Inc.	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Proposed IPO SSL [Abstract]	'
Proposed IPO SSL [Text Block]	'
	17. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
	Initial Public Offering and Related Transactions
	On May 28, 2014, we completed the underwritten initial public offering of 8,280,000 ordinary shares of SSL, our Semiconductor Materials business, at a price to the public of $13.00 per share. All of the shares in the offering were sold by SSL, including 1,080,000 ordinary shares sold to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise in full of their option to purchase additional shares. SSL received net proceeds of approximately $98.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and related offering costs of $9.4 million. The shares of SSL began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 22, 2014 under the ticker symbol “SEMI.”
	Private Placements and Related Transactions
	Concurrently with the SSL IPO, SFC and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ("SECL") purchased $93.6 million and $31.5 million, respectively, of SSL’s ordinary shares in separate private placements at $13.00 per share, resulting in the issuance of 9,625,578 ordinary shares. As discussed in Note 4, SFC is our partner in SMP. SECL is one of SSL’s customers and the owner of a noncontrolling interest in MEMC Korea Company ("MKC"), a consolidated subsidiary. As consideration for the issuance of the ordinary shares, (i) SFC made an aggregate cash investment in SSL of $93.6 million, resulting in net proceeds of $87.3 million to SSL after deducting private placement commissions, and (ii) SECL transferred to SSL its 20% interest in MKC, at which time SSL obtained a 100% interest in MKC.
	Additionally, on May 28, 2014, we acquired from SFC an approximate 35% interest in SMP for a cash purchase price of 144 billion South Korean won (approximately $140.7 million). Prior to the completion of the Semiconductor IPO, SunEdison contributed this approximate 35% interest in SMP to SSL. As a result, on a consolidated basis, we own an approximate 85% interest in SMP, and thus SMP's results are included in our consolidated financial statements from May 28, 2014 onwards.
	Capital Structure
	Upon completion of the SSL IPO and the foregoing transactions, we owned ordinary shares representing 56.8% of SSL’s outstanding ordinary shares, the Samsung entities owned ordinary shares representing 23.1% of SSL’s outstanding ordinary shares and purchasers of SSL’s shares in the SSL IPO owned ordinary shares representing 20% of SSL’s outstanding ordinary shares. SSL continues to be a consolidated entity, with a noncontrolling interest reported from May 28, 2014 onwards.

18_IPO_of_TerraForm_Power_Inc_

(18) IPO of TerraForm Power, Inc. Initial Public Offering of TerraForm Power, Inc.	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Initial Public Offering of TerraForm Power, Inc. [Text Block]	'
	18. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF TERRAFORM POWER, INC.
	Initial Public Offering and Related Transactions
	On July 23, 2014, we completed the underwritten initial public offering of 23,074,750 Class A shares of TerraForm, our yieldco subsidiary, at a price to the public of $25.00 per share (the “TerraForm IPO”). All of the shares in the offering were sold by TerraForm, including 3,009,750 Class A shares sold to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise in full of their option to purchase additional shares. We received net proceeds of approximately $527.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, structuring fee commissions and related offering costs of $49.8 million. The shares of TerraForm began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on July 18, 2014 under the ticker symbol “TERP.”
	Private Placements and Related Transactions
	Concurrently with the TerraForm IPO, Altai Capital Master Fund, Ltd. and Everstream Opportunities Fund I, LLC purchased $45.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, of TerraForm Class A shares in separate private placements at $25.00 per share, resulting in the issuance of an additional 2,600,000 Class A shares.
	Also concurrently with the TerraForm IPO, TerraForm acquired a controlling interest in Imperial Valley Solar 1 Holdings II, LLC, which owns the Mt. Signal project, from SRP in exchange for consideration consisting of (i) 5,840,000 Class B1 units (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B1 common stock) equal in value to $146.0 million, which SRP distributed to Riverstone, and (ii) 5,840,000 Class B units of TerraForm Power, LLC (and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock) equal in value to $146.0 million, which SRP distributed to SunEdison. See Note 4 for further details.
	Capital Structure
	Upon completion of the TerraForm IPO and the foregoing transactions, including the underwriters’ exercise of the overallotment option, we owned membership units representing 63.9% of the economic interest in the business, Altai Capital Master Fund, Ltd. and Everstream Opportunities Fund I, LLC owned membership units representing 1.8% and 1.7% of the economic interest in the business, respectively, Riverstone owned membership units representing 5.8% of the economic interest in the business and public purchasers of TerraForm’s shares in the TerraForm IPO owned membership units representing 22.8% of the economic interest in the business. The remaining ownership interests were granted to executive officers, directors, and employees as share-based compensation. Each share of TerraForm's Class A common stock and Class B1 common stock entitle its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by stockholders generally. Each share of Class B common stock entitles its holder to 10 votes on matters presented to TerraForm's stockholders generally. As the holder of all of TerraForm's outstanding Class B common stock, SunEdison will control a majority of the vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders for the foreseeable future. TerraForm continues to be a consolidated entity, with a noncontrolling interest reported from July 23, 2014.
	Financing Arrangements
	Concurrently with the completion of the TerraForm IPO, Terra Operating LLC and Terra LLC (both wholly owned subsidiaries of TerraForm) entered into a $140.0 million revolving line of credit and a $300.0 million term loan. See Note 5 for further details.

19_Proposed_IPO_of_Emerging_Ma

(19) Proposed IPO of Emerging Markets YieldCo Proposed IPO of Emerging Markets YieldCo	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
IPO of TerraForm Power, Inc. [Abstract]	'
Proposed IPO of SunEdison Emerging Markets YieldCo [Text Block]	'
	19. PROPOSED INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUNEDISON EMERGING MARKETS YIELD, INC.
	On September 29, 2014, we announced our plan to monetize certain of our solar generation assets located in emerging markets by aggregating them under a dividend growth-oriented subsidiary ("SunEdison Emerging Markets Yield, Inc.”, or “EM Yieldco") and divesting an interest in EM Yieldco through an initial public offering (the "proposed EM Yieldco IPO"). EM Yieldco would initially own solar generation assets located in India, Malaysia, South Africa and China. We expect that we would retain majority ownership of EM Yieldco, and would provide specified support services to EM Yieldco based on terms that have not yet been determined. Concurrently with this announcement, we submitted on a confidential basis a registration statement with the SEC with respect to the proposed EM Yieldco IPO.
	The completion of the proposed EM Yieldco IPO and related transactions are subject to numerous conditions, including market conditions, approval by our Board of Directors of the terms of the proposed EM Yieldco IPO and receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the effectiveness of the registration statement that has been submitted to the SEC.

20_Subsequent_Events_Subsequen

(20) Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Hudson Energy Solar Corporation
	On November 4, 2014, we (in combination with TerraForm) acquired the operating portfolio of Hudson Energy Solar Corporation ("Hudson"), from Just Energy Group, Inc. We will provide upfront consideration of approximately $35.0 million to acquire the assets, including cash consideration to Just Energy Group and debt repayment. Hudson is a solar project developer that owns and operates solar assets for schools, school districts, and commercial and industrial customers in North America. Hudson's operating portfolio is composed of 101 projects totaling approximately 30 MW of energy. Post-acquisition, the portfolio will be divided between SunEdison and TerraForm with approximately 15.0% of the portfolio assets being acquired by SunEdison and added to TerraForm's call right project list, and 85.0% going directly into TerraForm. Additionally, the acquisition will also provide TerraForm with a right-of-first-offer agreement to acquire new operating solar projects built for commercial and industrial customers in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
	JIC Capital Joint Venture
	On October 16, 2014, we executed a joint venture agreement with JIC Capital, to facilitate non-recourse financing and develop, construct and own up to 1 GW of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China over the next three years. The joint venture will focus on facilitating and structuring non-recourse financing for solar PV plants in one of the world's largest and most attractive solar markets. SunEdison, directly or through an affiliate, may purchase the projects developed by the joint venture at fair market value.
	Capital Dynamics Solar Fund
	On October 29, 2014, we (in combination with TerraForm) agreed to acquire 78 MW of distributed generation solar power plants from the Capital Dynamics U.S. Solar Energy Fund, L.P., a closed-end private equity fund focused on solar energy across the U.S. We will provide upfront consideration of approximately $250.0 million. We expect the transaction to close during the fourth quarter of 2014. The portfolio includes 39 solar power plants that are located in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	2. INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of the following:
		As of		As of
	In millions	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Raw materials and supplies	$	65.1	$	114.7
	Goods and work in process	120.6		98.8
	Finished goods	60.9		34.9
	Total inventories	$	246.6	$	248.4

3_Solar_Energy_Systems_Held_fo

(3) Solar Energy Systems Held for Development and Sale Solar Energy System Held for Development and Sale (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Solar Energy System Held for Development and Sale [Abstract]	'
Solar Energy Systems Held for Development and Sale [Table Text Block]	'
	Solar energy systems held for development and sale (including consolidated variable interest entities, "VIEs") consist of the following:
		As of		As of
	In millions	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Under development	$	264.4	$	419.7
	Systems held for sale	—		40.4
	Total solar energy systems held for development and sale	$	264.4	$	460.1

4_Acquisitions_Acquisitions_Ta

(4) Acquisitions Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SMP Ltd. [Member]	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities is as follows:
	In millions	Total Estimated Allocation
	Current assets	$	80.8
	Property, plant and equipment (non-solar energy systems)	661.8
	Other assets, including goodwill and intangible assets	127.4
	Total assets acquired	870
	Accounts payable	134.8
	Accrued and other liabilities	5.1
	Solar energy non-solar energy systems debt	381.9
	Total liabilities assumed	521.8
	Noncontrolling interest	51.2
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	297
Terraform [Member]	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities is as follows:
	In millions	Mt. Signal		Other TerraForm Acquisitions		Total Estimated Allocation
	Accounts receivable	$	10	$	5.9	$	15.9
	Solar energy systems	643.1		205.3		848.4
	Restricted cash	22.2		11.7		33.9
	Intangible assets	121.5		119.2		240.7
	Other assets	14.1		2.2		16.3
	Total assets acquired	810.9		344.3		1,155.20
	Accounts payable	29.6		4.3		33.9
	Solar Energy systems debt	413.5		112.9		526.4
	Other liabilities	3		16		19
	Total liabilities assumed	446.1		133.2		579.3
	Non-controlling interest	73.1		1.4		74.5
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	291.7	$	209.7	$	501.4
SunEdison [Member]	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The provisional estimated allocation of assets and liabilities for SRP, excluding Mt. Signal, is as follows:
	In millions	Total Estimated Allocation
	Current assets	$	132.2
	Solar energy systems	508.2
	Intangible assets	253.4
	Other assets	212.4
	Total assets acquired	1,106.20
	Current liabilities	53.1
	Solar energy systems debt	696.3
	Other liabilities	308.4
	Total liabilities	1,057.80
	Non-controlling interest	15.8
	Fair value of net assets acquired	$	32.6

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, we recognized a net loss of $499.4 million related to the change in the fair value of the 2018/2021 Conversion Options, the 2018/2021 Note Hedges and 2018/2021 Warrants (the "2018/2021 Convertible Notes Derivatives") prior to the reclassification of these instruments to Stockholders' Equity as discussed above, which is reported in loss on convertible notes derivatives, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, as follows:
	In millions	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Conversion Options	$	381.9
	Note Hedges	(365.3		)
	Warrants	482.8
	Total loss on convertible note derivatives, net	$	499.4
Debt	'
			As of September 30, 2014								As of December 31, 2013
	In millions		Total		Current and Short-Term			Long-Term			Total		Current and Short-Term		Long-Term
	Solar Energy debt, non-solar energy systems:
	Convertible senior notes due 2018, net of discount		$	478.9	$	—		$	478.9		$	460	$	—	$	460
	Convertible senior notes due 2020, net of discount		424.1		—			424.1			—		—		—
	Convertible senior notes due 2021, net of discount		423.8		—			423.8			408.2		—		408.2
	SMP Ltd. credit facilities (a)		371.4		89.3			282.1			—		—		—
	Total solar energy debt, non-solar energy systems		$	1,698.20	$	89.3		$	1,608.90		$	868.2	$	—	$	868.2
	Solar Energy systems debt, including financing and capital leaseback obligations (b):
	Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate of 6.55% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively		$	121.8	$	121.8		$	—		$	68.9	$	68.9	$	—
	System pre-construction, construction and term debt		1,435.70		577.6			858.1			677.8		268.6		409.2
	Capital leaseback obligations		82.6		3.4			79.2			94		4.5		89.5
	Financing leaseback obligations		1,385.30		5.7			1,379.60			1,297.70		15.1		1,282.60
	Other system financing transactions		110		—			110			121.9		0.1		121.8
	Total solar energy debt, including financing and capital leaseback obligations, solar energy systems		$	3,135.40	$	708.5		$	2,426.90		$	2,260.30	$	357.2	$	1,903.10
	TerraForm Power debt (a):
	TerraForm term facility		$	299.3	$	3		$	296.3		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Other system financing transactions		1,004.10		267.8			736.3			437.3		37.5		399.8
	Total TerraForm Power debt		$	1,303.40	$	270.8		$	1,032.60		$	437.3	$	37.5	$	399.8
	Semiconductor Materials debt (a):
	Long-term notes		$	207.5	$	2.1		$	205.4		$	10.4	$	2.8	$	7.6
	Total Semiconductor Materials debt		$	207.5	$	2.1		$	205.4		$	10.4	$	2.8	$	7.6
	Total debt outstanding		$	6,344.50	$	1,070.70		$	5,273.80		$	3,576.20	$	397.5	$	3,178.70
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	The 2018/2021 Convertible Notes Derivatives were measured at fair value as of May 29, 2014 using a Black-Scholes valuation model as these instruments are not traded on an open market.  Significant inputs to the valuation model, which have been identified as Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		Conversion Option			Note Hedges				Warrants
		Due 2018		Due 2021	Due 2018		Due 2021		Due 2018	Due 2021
	Stock price	$20.50		$20.50	$20.50		$20.50		$20.50	$20.50
	Exercise price	$14.62		$14.62	$14.62		$14.62		$18.35	$18.93
	Risk-free rate	1.34%		1.95%	1.30%		1.93%		1.45%	2.30%
	Volatility	45.00%		45.00%	45.00%		45.00%		42.00%	42.00%
	Dividend yield	—%		—%	—%		—%		—%	—%
	Maturity	2018		2021	2018		2021		2018	2021

LongLived_Asset_Impairment_Cha1

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges and Restructuring (Tables) (2011 Global Plan [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
2011 Global Plan [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Details of Restructuring Expenses	'
																		As of September 30, 2014
	In millions	Accrued,		Year-to-Date			Cash			Non-Cash Settlements			Currency			Accrued September 30, 2014		Cumulative		Total Costs
		December  31, 2013		Restructuring			Payments											Costs		Expected to be Incurred
				(Reversals)Charges														Incurred
	Severance and other employee benefits	$	21.3	$	(1.5	)	$	(3.1	)	$	(0.9	)	$	(1.2	)	$	14.6	$	50.8	$	50.8
	Contract termination	40.2		—			(10.5		)	—			—			29.7		165.1		165.1
	Other	24.3		(2.1		)	(9.4		)	2			(1.3		)	13.5		46.5		46.5
	Total	$	85.8	$	(3.6	)	$	(23.0	)	$	1.1		$	(2.5	)	$	57.8	$	262.4	$	262.4

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Instru1

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	'
			Assets (Liabilities or Equity) Fair Value
	In millions	Balance Sheet Classification	As of September 30, 2014			As of December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging:
	Interest rate swaps	Prepaid and other current assets	$	5.7		$	1.6
	Interest rate swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(5.7		)	(1.6		)
	Interest rate swaps	Accrued liabilities	(63.4		)	(2.4		)
	Interest rate swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	10.8			1.6
	Cross currency swaps	Prepaid and other current assets (accrued liabilities)	13.6			(2.4		)
	Cross currency swaps	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13.6		)	2.4
	Derivatives not designated as hedging:
	Note hedges (see Note 5)	Note hedge derivative asset	$	—		$	514.8
	Conversion options (see Note 5)	Conversion option derivative liability	—			(506.5		)
	Warrants (see Note 5)	Warrant derivative liability	—			(270.5		)
	Currency forward contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	1.6			0.7
	Currency forward contracts	Accrued liabilities	(5.2		)	(11.5		)
	Interest rate swaps	Prepaid and other current assets	—			1
	Interest rate swaps	Accrued liabilities	(1.7		)	(0.2		)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
		As of September 30, 2014													As of December 31, 2013
	Assets (liabilities) in millions	Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Interest rate swap assets	$	—			$	5.7		$	—		$	5.7		$	—		$	2.6		$	—		$	2.6
	Interest rate swap liabilities	—				(65.1		)	—			(65.1		)	—			(2.6		)	—			(2.6		)
	Currency forward contract assets	1.6				—			—			1.6			0.7			—			—			0.7
	Currency forward contract liabilities	(5.2		)		—			—			(5.2		)	(11.5		)	—			—			(11.5		)
	Cross currency swaps asset (liabilities)	—				13.6			—			13.6			—			(2.4		)	—			(2.4		)
	Note hedge derivative asset (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			514.8			—			514.8
	Conversion option derivative liability (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			(506.5		)	—			(506.5		)
	Warrant derivative liability (see Note 5)	—				—			—			—			—			(270.5		)	—			(270.5		)
	Contingent consideration liabilities	—				—			(40.0		)	(40.0		)	—			—			(35.2		)	(35.2		)
	Total	$	(3.6	)		$	(45.8	)	$	(40.0	)	$	(89.4	)	$	(10.8	)	$	(264.6	)	$	(35.2	)	$	(310.6	)
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	In millions		Contingent
			Consideration
			Related to
			Acquisitions
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	(24.9	)
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings (1)		(3.1		)
	Acquisitions		(22.4		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013		$	(50.4	)
	Balance December 31 2013		$	(35.2	)
	Total unrealized gains included in earnings (1)		1.7
	Acquisitions		(14.0		)
	Payments of contingent consideration		7.5
	Balance, September 30, 2014		$	(40.0	)
	The amount of total losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date		$	(3.1	)
	The amount of total gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date		$	1.7
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		As of September 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
	In millions	Carrying Amount				Estimated Fair Value (1)			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value (1)
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	6,344.50			$	5,813.40		$	3,576.20		$	2,681.20

Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Loss Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Basic and Diluted (loss) Earnings Per Share	'
	For the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, basic and diluted loss per share (“EPS”) were calculated as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014						Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	In millions, except per share amounts	Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	EPS Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	$	(283.4	)	$	(283.4	)	$	(108.0	)	$	(108.0	)
	Adjustment for net income attributable to redeemable interest holder	(1.6		)	(1.6		)	—			—
	Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest							(2.4		)	(2.4		)
	Adjusted net loss to SunEdison stockholders	$	(285.0	)	$	(285.0	)	$	(110.4	)	$	(110.4	)
	EPS Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	269.8			269.8			236.9			236.9
	Loss per share	$	(1.06	)	$	(1.06	)	$	(0.47	)	$	(0.47	)
	For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, basic and diluted EPS were calculated as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	In millions, except per share amounts	Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	EPS Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	$	(938.2	)	$	(938.2	)	$	(300.3	)	$	(300.3	)
	Adjustment for net income attributable to redeemable interest holder	(5.2		)	(5.2		)	—			—
	Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest							(6.8		)	(6.8		)
	Adjusted net loss to SunEdison stockholders	$	(943.4	)	$	(943.4	)	$	(307.1	)	$	(307.1	)
	EPS Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding	268.4			268.4			233.3			233.3
	Loss per share	$	(3.51	)	$	(3.51	)	$	(1.32	)	$	(1.32	)

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Changes in Stockholders Equity	'
	In millions	SunEdison Stockholders’					Noncontrolling				Total
		Equity					Interests
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	232.2				$	109			$	341.2
	Net loss	(938.2		)			(46.7		)		(984.9		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(26.1		)			(14.8		)		(40.9		)
	Stock plans, net	37.7					—				37.7
	Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in MKC (see Note 17)	43.4					(43.4		)		—
	TerraForm IPO and related transactions (see Note 18)	234.5					357.6				592.1
	Income tax impact of TerraForm IPO taxable gain (see Note 12)	(26.9		)			—				(26.9		)
	Acquisition of Mt. Signal (see Note 4)	146					73.1				219.1
	SSL IPO (see Note 17)	(183.6		)			368.9				185.3
	Acquisition of SRP (see Note 4)	—					15.8				15.8
	Acquisition of SMP Ltd. (see Note 4)	—					51.2				51.2
	Other activity of noncontrolling interests	(19.4		)			22.2				2.8
	Reclassification of conversion options, warrants and note hedges related to the 2018/2021 Notes (see Note 5)	761.7					—				761.7
	Recognition of conversion options, warrants and note hedges related to the 2020 Notes (see Note 5)	124.4					—				124.4
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	385.7		—		$	892.9		—	$	1,278.60
Outstanding Stock Options	'
		Shares			Weighted-				Aggregate  Intrinsic			Weighted-
					Average				Value			Average
					Exercise Price				(in millions)			Remaining
												Contractual
												Life
												(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	23,742,764			$	6.64
	Granted	241,500			18.72
	Exercised	(2,936,133	)		5.94
	Forfeited	(721,306	)		5.17
	Expired	(101,458	)		11.29
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	20,225,367			$	6.9			$	249.2		7
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	6,900,088			$	9.36			$	73.8		6
Outstanding Restricted Stock Units	'
		Restricted  Stock			Aggregate  Intrinsic				Weighted-
		Units			Value				Average  Remaining
					(in millions)				Contractual Life
									(in years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	4,038,782
	Granted	4,890,925
	Converted	(1,213,639	)
	Forfeited	(473,018	)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	7,243,050			$	136.7			3

Comprehensive_Loss_Tables

Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
	(In millions)	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Available-for-sale securities
	Beginning balance	$	—		$	(7.5	)	$	—		$	(7.6	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			0.8			—			0.9
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss	—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income(2)	—			0.8			—			0.9
	Balance at September 30	$	—		$	(6.7	)	$	—		$	(6.7	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments(1)
	Beginning balance	$	27.4		$	(17.5	)	$	(20.0	)	$	32.3
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(39.7		)	8.9			(28.7		)	(40.9		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(5)	—			—			36.4			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(39.7		)	8.9			7.7			(40.9		)
	Balance at September 30	$	(12.3	)	$	(8.6	)	$	(12.3	)	$	(8.6	)
	Cash flow hedges
	Beginning balance	$	(5.1	)	$	(19.8	)	$	(12.4	)	$	(4.3	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(5.1		)	9.7			2.6			(5.4		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(4)	—			—			(0.4		)	(0.4		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(5.1		)	9.7			2.2			(5.8		)
	Balance at September 30	$	(10.2	)	$	(10.1	)	$	(10.2	)	$	(10.1	)
	Benefit plans
	Beginning balance	$	(27.1	)	$	(60.2	)	$	(27.6	)	$	(60.2	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			1.9			0.8			1.9
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss(3)	(0.1		)	—			(0.4		)	—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)(2)	(0.1		)	1.9			0.4			1.9
	Balance at September 30	(27.2		)	(58.3		)	(27.2		)	(58.3		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30	$	(49.7	)	$	(83.7	)	$	(49.7	)	$	(83.7	)

Variable_Interest_Entities_Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	'
	In millions	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	Current assets	$	84.9	$	274.1
	Noncurrent assets	265.3		167.2
	Total assets	$	350.2	$	441.3
	Current liabilities	$	14.5	$	22
	Noncurrent liabilities	309.1		275.4
	Total liabilities	$	323.6	$	297.4

Deferred_Revenue_and_Profit_Ta

Deferred Revenue and Profit (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Deferred Revenue and Profit	'
	Deferred revenue consists of the following:
	In millions	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	Deferred revenue:
	Short-term profit deferrals	$	123.4	$	154.7
	Long-term profit deferrals	161.1		68.9
	Deferred subsidy revenue	22		21.1
	Total deferred revenue	$	306.5	$	244.7

16_Reportable_Segments_Tables_

(16) Reportable Segments Tables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	In millions	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Solar Energy	$	437.2		$	410.1		$	1,211.70		$	842.4
	TerraForm Power	53.2			5.4			83.3			13
	Semiconductor Materials	213.2			232.6			634.2			709
	Intersegment eliminations	(22.4		)	(36.6		)	(55.3		)	(108.0		)
	Consolidated net sales	$	681.2		$	611.5		$	1,873.90		$	1,456.40
	Intersegment sales:
	Solar Energy	$	21.3		$	35.9		$	53.1		$	101.8
	TerraForm Power	0.3			0.3			0.8			0.7
	Semiconductor Materials	0.8			0.4			1.4			5.5
	Consolidated intersegment sales	$	22.4		$	36.6		$	55.3		$	108
	Operating income (loss):
	Solar Energy	$	(147.8	)	$	(72.5	)	$	(329.5	)	$	(146.1	)
	TerraForm Power	20.5			2.1			31			4.6
	Semiconductor Materials	(62.5		)	21.3			(78.1		)	12.3
	Consolidated operating loss	$	(189.8	)	$	(49.1	)	$	(376.6	)	$	(129.2	)
	Interest expense:
	Solar Energy	$	84.4		$	43.9		$	213.8		$	125.1
	TerraForm Power	22.5			2			53.2			4.7
	Semiconductor Materials	3.8			0.3			5.5			0.6
	Intersegment eliminations(1)	—			(1.0		)	(0.1		)	(3.1		)
	Consolidated interest expense	$	110.7		$	45.2		$	272.4		$	127.3
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Solar Energy	$	58.9		$	39.3		$	132		$	100.6
	TerraForm Power	18.9			1.4			41.5			3.6
	Semiconductor Materials	29.3			29.9			87.4			88.2
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	107.1		$	70.6		$	260.9		$	192.4
	Capital expenditures:
	Solar Energy(2)	$	305.7		$	149.1		$	524.7		$	279.1
	TerraForm Power	128.3			—			614.1			—
	Semiconductor Materials	29.4			21.3			71.3			83.4
	Consolidated capital expenditures	$	463.4		$	170.4		$	1,210.10		$	362.5
	-1	All intersegment interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 relate to the Solar Energy segment.
	-2	Includes construction of solar energy systems of $376.6 million and $138.8 million in the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and construction of solar energy systems of $1,028.3 million and $261.3 million in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

18_IPO_of_TerraForm_Power_Inc_1

(18) IPO of TerraForm Power, Inc. Tables (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Riverstone [Member]

Riverstone [Member]

Mount Signal [Member]

Mount Signal [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Shares sold to underwriters [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

public shares [Member]

Riverstone [Member]

Everstream Opportunities Fund I, LLC [Member]

Everstream Opportunities Fund I, LLC [Member]

Altai Capital Master Fund Ltd [Member]

Altai Capital Master Fund Ltd [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Initial Public Offering of TerraForm Power, Inc. [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Offering Shares

'

'

34,500,000

'

5,840,000

'

5,840,000

'

23,074,750

3,009,750

2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Issued, Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries

'

'

'

$146

'

$146

'

$527.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

45

'

Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

63.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners

91.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22.80%

5.80%

'

1.70%

'

1.80%

Long-term Line of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

140

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

$10.40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300

'

'

'

'

'

'

1_Basis_of_Presentation_Detail

(1) Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	'	($41.20)	$40.20	'
Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	-283.4	-108	'	-300.3	'
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	605.5	'	605.5	'	423.4
Other Assets, Noncurrent	546.2	'	546.2	'	425.8
Accrued Liabilities, Current	580.8	'	580.8	'	432.7
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	$660	'	$660	'	$301

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials and supplies	$65.10	$114.70
Goods and work in process	120.6	98.8
Finished goods	60.9	34.9
Inventories,Total	$246.60	$248.40

3_Solar_Energy_Systems_Held_fo1

(3) Solar Energy Systems Held for Development and Sale Solar Energy System Held for Development and Sale (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Solar Energy System Held for Development [Abstract]	'	'
solar energy systems held for development and sale variable interest entities	$0	'
Systems Held Under Development	264.4	419.7
Systems Held For Sale	'	40.4
Solar energy systems held for development and sale	$264.40	$460.10

4_Acquisitions_Acquisitions_De

(4) Acquisitions Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, plant and equipment (non-solar energy systems)	$1,656.80	'	$1,656.80	'	$1,108.70
Current assets	2,625.10	'	2,625.10	'	2,385
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	91.80%	'	91.80%	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal	0	0	145.7	0	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	0	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'	414.7	7.3	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	-14	'	-14	'	-22.4
Assets	10,268.80	'	10,268.80	'	6,680.50
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Including Solar Energy Systems Financing	6,344.50	'	6,344.50	'	3,576.20
Liabilities	8,990.20	'	8,990.20	'	6,339.30
SMP Ltd. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Property, plant and equipment (non-solar energy systems)	661.8	'	661.8	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest in Variable Interest Entity	51.2	'	51.2	'	'
Fair value of net assets acquired	297	'	297	'	'
Current assets	80.8	'	80.8	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Equity Method Investments	13.3	'	13.3	'	'
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	35.00%	'	35.00%	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage	85.00%	'	85.00%	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal	'	'	145.7	'	'
Assets	140.7	'	140.7	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	71.2	'	71.2	'	'
Other Assets	127.4	'	127.4	'	'
Assets	870	'	870	'	'
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Including Solar Energy Systems Financing	-134.8	'	-134.8	'	'
Accounts Payable	-5.1	'	-5.1	'	'
Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities	-381.9	'	-381.9	'	'
Liabilities	-521.8	'	-521.8	'	'
Terraform [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	15.9	'	15.9	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt	526.4	'	526.4	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable	33.9	'	33.9	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities	19	'	19	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	579.3	'	579.3	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	74.5	'	74.5	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	240.7	'	240.7	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	33.9	'	33.9	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	16.3	'	16.3	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	848.4	'	848.4	'	'
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	100.00%	'	100.00%	'	'
Assets	1,155.20	'	1,155.20	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	501.4	'	'
Terraform [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	132.2	'	132.2	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt	696.3	'	696.3	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable	53.1	'	53.1	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities	308.4	'	308.4	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	1,057.80	'	1,057.80	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	-15.8	'	-15.8	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	253.4	'	253.4	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	212.4	'	212.4	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	508.2	'	508.2	'	'
Assets	1,106.20	'	1,106.20	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	32.6	'	'
Mount Signal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	146	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	10	'	10	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt	413.5	'	413.5	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable	29.6	'	29.6	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities	3	'	3	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	446.1	'	446.1	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	73.1	'	73.1	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	121.5	'	121.5	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	22.2	'	22.2	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	14.1	'	14.1	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	643.1	'	643.1	'	'
Assets	810.9	'	810.9	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	291.7	'	'
Other TerraForm Acquisitions [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	5.9	'	5.9	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt	112.9	'	112.9	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable	4.3	'	4.3	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities	16	'	16	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	133.2	'	133.2	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	1.4	'	1.4	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	119.2	'	119.2	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	11.7	'	11.7	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	2.2	'	2.2	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	205.3	'	205.3	'	'
Assets	344.3	'	344.3	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	209.7	'	'
Energy Matters [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	18.4	'	18.4	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	3.1	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'	2.4	'	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	14	'	14	'	'
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Additional Payment Combination Of Cash And Common Stock	'	'	1.3	'	'
Italy Projects [Member] | Silver Ridge Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition Costs, Cumulative	42	'	42	'	'
AES US [Member] | Silver Ridge Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition Costs, Cumulative	178.6	'	178.6	'	'
Mount Signal [Member] | Silver Ridge Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition Costs, Cumulative	$292	'	$292	'	'

5_Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Oblig

(5) Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Debt) (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2020 Senior Notes [Member]

2020 Senior Notes [Member]

2020 Senior Notes [Member]

SMP Ltd. [Member]

SMP Ltd. [Member]

Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Credit facility [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

MJL Long Term Debt [Member]

MJL Long Term Debt [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

Short-term Debt [Member]

Short-term Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

SMP Ltd. [Member]

SMP Ltd. [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recourse Solar Debt

$40,300,000

$60,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20.50

$20.50

$20.50

$20.50

$20.50

$20.50

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

584,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price

$14.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26.87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Current

880,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

381,900,000

0

0

-365,300,000

0

0

482,800,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

600,000,000

'

'

600,000,000

'

'

600,000,000

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

2.75%

'

'

2.00%

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

423,800,000

'

'

478,900,000

'

'

424,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes, Current

0

0

'

0

0

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes, Noncurrent

'

408,200,000

'

'

460,000,000

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans Payable

1,698,200,000

868,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans Payable, Current

89,300,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans Payable, Noncurrent

1,608,900,000

868,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable

423,800,000

'

'

478,900,000

'

'

424,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable, Noncurrent

'

408,200,000

'

'

460,000,000

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of Solar Energy non-solar energy systems debt

89,300,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion

1,608,900,000

868,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

68,900,000

'

121,800,000

68,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.50%

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,435,700,000

'

1,303,400,000

437,300,000

207,500,000

10,400,000

'

'

'

677,800,000

207,500,000

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

2,800,000

'

'

577,600,000

268,600,000

2,100,000

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

270,800,000

37,500,000

'

'

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

205,400,000

7,600,000

'

'

858,100,000

409,200,000

205,400,000

7,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,032,600,000

399,800,000

Capital Lease Obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82,600,000

94,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations, Current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,400,000

4,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

79,200,000

89,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Amount Due under Financing Arrangement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,385,300,000

1,297,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing Obligations, Current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,700,000

15,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Finance Obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,379,600,000

1,282,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

371,400,000

0

'

89,300,000

282,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

299,300,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

0

296,300,000

0

Other System Financing transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,000,000

121,900,000

'

'

'

1,004,100,000

437,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other system financing transactions, current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

267,800,000

37,500,000

'

'

Other system financing transactions, noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,000,000

121,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

736,300,000

399,800,000

Non-Recourse Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,135,400,000

'

'

'

247,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Solar Energy Systems Financing And Capital Leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,260,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Solar Energy Systems Financing And Capital Leases Less Current Portion

2,426,900,000

1,903,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,426,900,000

1,903,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Including Solar Energy Systems Financing

6,344,500,000

3,576,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Including Solar Energy Systems Financing, Current

1,070,700,000

397,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Including Solar Energy Systems Financing

5,273,800,000

3,178,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Current

753,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt, Subsequent Adjustments

761,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37.21

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14.62

18.93

'

14.62

18.35

'

'

'

'

Short Term Solar Energy System Financing And Current Portion Of Long Term Solar Energy System Financing And Capital Lease Obligations

$708,500,000

$357,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$708,500,000

$357,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.95%

1.93%

2.30%

1.34%

1.30%

1.45%

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45.00%

45.00%

42.00%

45.00%

45.00%

42.00%

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

Derivative Maturity Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2021

'2021

'2021

'2018

'

'2018

'

'

'

'

5_Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Oblig1

(5) Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Non-solar Energy System Debt and Capital Leases) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Mar. 10, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 20, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Mar. 10, 2011

Mar. 10, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member]

Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2019 Senior Notes [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SMP Credit Facility [Member]

SMP Credit Facility [Member]

SMP Credit Facility [Member]

SMP Revolving Capital Credit Facility [Member] [Member]

2018/2021 Senior Notes [Member]

Interest rate margin in addition to LIBOR [Member]

Defined prime rate plus margin [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Conversion Option [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

Warrant Options [Member]

2018/2021 Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

2018 Senior Notes [Member]

2021 Senior Notes [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Solar Energy Systems Financing And Capital Leases Less Current Portion

$2,426,900,000

'

$2,426,900,000

'

$1,903,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,426,900,000

$1,903,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

400,000,000

'

265,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

285,000,000

300,000,000

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

452,100,000

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

405,000,000

355,000,000

315,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1.87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

369.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

381,900,000

0

'

'

0

-365,300,000

0

'

'

0

482,800,000

0

'

'

499,400,000

Stock Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20.50

$20.50

'

'

'

$20.50

$20.50

'

'

'

$20.50

$20.50

'

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price

$14.62

'

$14.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Costs Capitalized

10,000,000

6,300,000

24,700,000

12,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes, issued amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

'

'

200,000,000

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior note, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

2.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

471.00%

434.00%

438.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Working capital facility, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs, amortized period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Days, Notice To Redeem Note

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 days

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Redemption Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable, Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

408,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

460,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14.62

14.62

'

'

'

18.35

18.93

'

Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants

'

'

'

'

82.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.34%

1.95%

'

'

'

1.30%

1.93%

'

'

'

1.45%

2.30%

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45.00%

45.00%

'

'

'

45.00%

45.00%

'

'

'

42.00%

42.00%

'

Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2018

'2021

'

'

'

'

'2021

'

'

'

'2018

'2021

'

Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,167,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

423,800,000

'

423,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

478,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

550,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.75%

'

'

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,435,700,000

'

'

'

677,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Recourse Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,135,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

247,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$82,600,000

$94,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Collateral Fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction facility interest rate

5.75%

'

5.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5_Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Oblig2

(5) Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Solar Energy System Debt, Financings and Capital Leaseback Obligations) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 24, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdisons Subsidiary One [Member]

SunEdisons Subsidiary Two [Member]

SunEdisons Subsidiary Two [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Other System Financing [Member]

Italy Projects [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Deutsche Bank Credit Line [Member]

Deutsche Bank Credit Line [Member]

Solar Energy Credit Facility [Member]

Defined prime rate plus margin [Member]

Interest rate margin in addition to LIBOR [Member]

System construction and term debt [Member]

Silver Ridge Project [Domain]

Parent Company [Member]

Mount Signal [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Acquisition Facility [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

SunEdison [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction Financing Revolver [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

SMP JV [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

63.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56.80%

'

Long-term Line of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$140,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$320,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Collateral Fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2.5

'

'5.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

Construction facility interest rate

5.75%

'

5.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period

10,000,000

6,300,000

24,700,000

12,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

0

68,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121,800,000

68,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Recourse Debt

'

'

'

'

'

3,135,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

247,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

326.00%

'

'

Debt Instrument, Debt Default, Amount

'

'

'

'

22,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

361,300,000

'

'

Line of Credit, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

400,000,000

'

265,000,000

'

150,000,000

285,000,000

300,000,000

50,000,000

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

405,000,000

355,000,000

315,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period

'

'

3.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

277,800,000

'

277,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

200,000,000

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

37,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Percent Of Outstanding Balance Required To Post Under Covenant Terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other System Financing transactions

'

'

'

'

'

110,000,000

121,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

417,500,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms

'

'

'.0275

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

1,435,700,000

'

'

'

677,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.58%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

429.00%

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

577,600,000

268,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sales Leaseback Transaction, Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124,400,000

'

101,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82,600,000

94,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Amount Due under Financing Arrangement

'

'

'

'

'

1,385,300,000

1,297,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

123,600,000

94,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value

1,313,500,000

'

1,313,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction Master Lease Agreements Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'25 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale and Lease Back Available Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

6,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, proceeds collected under sales agreement, current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, proceeds collected from sales agreement, noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93,100,000

38,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable

423,800,000

'

423,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short Term Committed Financing Arrangements Maximum Amount

'

'

'

'

23,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short Term Committed Financing Arrangements Unavailable Amount Due to Third Party Letters of Credit

'

'

'

'

$17,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5_Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Oblig3

(5) Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Other Facilities) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2012

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

MJL Long Term Debt [Member]

MJL Long Term Debt [Member]

Corporate Credit Facility [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Construction and Term Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes, issued amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

400,000,000

265,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

299,300,000

0

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

200,000,000

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

37,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short Term Committed Financing Arrangements Maximum Amount

'

'

'

'

23,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short Term Committed Financing Arrangements Unavailable Amount Due to Third Party Letters of Credit

'

'

'

'

17,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period

10,000,000

6,300,000

24,700,000

12,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Discount Rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Issuance Cost

'

'

'

'

'

9,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

$10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,303,400,000

$437,300,000

$207,500,000

$10,400,000

LongLived_Asset_Impairment_Cha2

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges and Restructuring (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Contract Termination [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

2011 Global Plan [Member]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Solar Energy [Domain]

Semiconductor Material Consolidation [Domain]

Merano Polysilicon Plant [Member]

Semiconductor crystal operations [Domain]

Severance and Other Employee Benefits [Member]

Severance and Other Employee Benefits [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-lived asset impairment charges

'

$100.40

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$58

$42.40

'

$57.30

$0.70

Restructuring Reversals - 2011 Global Plan

1.3

-3.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

29.7

57.8

'

85.8

14.6

21.3

29.7

40.2

13.5

24.3

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3.6

'

-1.5

'

0

'

-2.1

'

'

'

3.5

'

'

MEMC Global Reduction in Force

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for Restructuring

'

'

'

'

'

'

23

'

3.1

'

10.5

'

9.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve - non cash settlement

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.1

'

-0.9

'

0

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve, Translation Adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2.5

'

-1.2

'

0

'

-1.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date

'

'

'

'

'

262.4

'

'

50.8

'

165.1

'

46.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost

'

'

'

'

'

262.4

'

'

50.8

'

165.1

'

46.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reversals

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.50

'

'

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Instru2

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Derivatives and Hedging Activities) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Second Lien Credit Agreement [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Suntech Warrant [Member]

Suntech Warrant [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Equity Option [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

8.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

$200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners

91.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

-1.7

-0.2

'

'

13.6

-2.4

'

'

'

'

'

63.4

2.4

-10.8

-1.6

-89.4

-310.6

'

-506.5

'

-2.4

'

-270.5

-5.2

-65.1

-2.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3.6

-10.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5.2

-11.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-45.8

-264.6

0

-506.5

-13.6

2.4

0

-270.5

'

'

-65.1

-2.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

-5.7

-1.6

'

'

5.7

1.6

0

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.6

0.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

514.8

'

'

'

'

Senior notes, issued amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

$13.60

'

$0

'

'

'

'

$0

$514.80

$1.60

$0.70

$5.70

$2.60

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

$13.60

'

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$5.70

$2.60

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Instru3

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	($110,700,000)	($45,200,000)	($272,400,000)	($127,300,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	-800,000	1,100,000	1,500,000	1.4
Note Hedge Derivative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments (Gains) Losses Recognized in Statement of Operations Location	0	'	365,300,000	0
Conversion Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments (Gains) Losses Recognized in Statement of Operations Location	0	'	-381,900,000	0
Warrant Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments (Gains) Losses Recognized in Statement of Operations Location	0	'	-482,800,000	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	10,300,000	-4,300,000	9.5	6.2
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	-300,000	-1,900,000	'
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	($300,000)	($1,700,000)	'

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Instru4

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
					Fair Value Hedging [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
									Fair Value Hedging [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]
South Africa Swap [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$110,700,000	$45,200,000	$272,400,000	$127,300,000	$300,000	$1,900,000	'	'	$300,000	$1,700,000
Notional Amount of Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives	$185,800,000	'	$185,800,000	'	'	'	$392,200,000	$401,100,000	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$6,344.50	$3,576.20
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	5,813.40	2,681.20
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	89.4	310.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3.6	10.8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	45.8	264.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	40	35.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	13.6	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	2.4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	13.6	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	13.6	-2.4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Option [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	506.5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	506.5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Option [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	65.1	2.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	65.1	2.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	5.2	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	5.2	11.5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	40	35.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	40	35.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	270.5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrant [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrant [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	270.5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrant [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	514.8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	514.8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Note Hedge Derivative on Convertible Debt [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	5.7	2.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	5.7	2.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1.6	0.7
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1.6	0.7
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Change

Fair Value Measurements (Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash paid for acquisition contingent consideration	$3.80	$0.80	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	-14	'	-22.4
Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	-24.9	'
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings	1.7	-3.1	'
Ending Balance	'	-50.4	'
Cash paid for acquisition contingent consideration	7.5	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ending Balance	-40	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Consideration Related to Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ending Balance	'	($35.20)	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Solar Energy non-solar energy systems debt	$6,344.50	$3,576.20
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$5,813.40	$2,681.20

9_Loss_Per_Share_Details

(9) Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 18, 2013
Equity Offering Shares	'	'	'	'	34,500,000
TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment QTD Basic EPS	'	($2.40)	'	($6.80)	'
Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	-283.4	-108	'	-300.3	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	-1.6	0	-5.2	0	'
Adjusted net income to common stockholders, basic	-285	-110.4	-943.4	-307.1	'
Adjusted net income to common stockholders, diluted	-285	-110.4	-943.4	-307.1	'
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	269,800,000	236,900,000	268,400,000	233,300,000	'
Total shares (in shares)	269,800,000	236,900,000	268,400,000	233,300,000	'
Income (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share)	($1.06)	($0.47)	($3.51)	($1.32)	'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	($1.06)	($0.47)	($3.51)	($1.32)	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	'	'	($938.20)	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity (Changes in Stockholders Equity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$385.70	'	$385.70	'	$232.20
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	-283.4	-108	'	-300.3	'
Balance	'	'	341.2	'	'
Net loss	-317.7	-112.1	-984.9	-309.9	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-34.3	-4.1	-46.7	-9.6	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	-40.9	'	'
Stock plans, net	'	'	-37.7	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value	'	'	0	'	'
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	'	'	26.9	'	'
SunEdison - contributions from partner	'	'	2.8	'	'
Balance	1,278.60	'	1,278.60	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	892.9	'	892.9	'	109
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	385.7	'	385.7	'	232.2
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	'	'	-938.2	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	-26.1	'	'
Stock plans, net	'	'	-37.7	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value	'	'	43.4	'	'
SunEdison - contributions from partner	'	'	-19.4	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	'	'	-46.7	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	-46.7	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	-14.8	'	'
Temporary Equity, Accretion to Redemption Value, Adjustment	'	'	0	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value	'	'	-43.4	'	'
SunEdison - contributions from partner	'	'	22.2	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	892.9	'	892.9	'	109
2018/2021 Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	'	'	761.7	'	'
2018/2021 Senior Notes [Member] | Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	'	'	761.7	'	'
2020 Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	'	'	124.4	'	'
2020 Senior Notes [Member] | Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Warrants or Options Issued	'	'	124.4	'	'
Terraform [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	592.1	'	'
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	'	'	-26.9	'	'
Terraform [Member] | Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	234.5	'	'
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	'	'	-26.9	'	'
Terraform [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	357.6	'	'
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	'	'	0	'	'
Mount Signal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	219.1	'	'
Mount Signal [Member] | Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	146	'	'
Mount Signal [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	73.1	'	'
Semiconductor [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	185.3	'	'
Semiconductor [Domain] | Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	-183.6	'	'
Semiconductor [Domain] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units	'	'	368.9	'	'
Silver Ridge Project [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Description	'	'	'15.8	'	'
Silver Ridge Project [Domain] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Description	'	'	'15.8	'	'
SMP JV [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
SunEdison - contributions from partner	'	'	$51.20	'	'
SMP JV [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Description	'	'	'51.2	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	700,000,000	'	700,000,000	'	300,000,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	91.80%	'	91.80%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	'	'	721,306	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	268,700,000	'	268,700,000	'	266,900,000
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$14	$8.80	$28.40	$22.60	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	37.7	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	241,500	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	16,800,000	'	16,800,000	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$9.36	$3.99	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$18.88	$8.74	$18.88	$8.74	'
Shares Authorized in Current Period [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	700,000,000	'	700,000,000	'	'
Q2 2014 RSU Award [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	18.4	'	18.4	'	'
Terraform [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	25.1	'	25.1	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	8,600,000	'	8,600,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	4,000,000	'	4,000,000	'	'
Semiconductor [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	$32.30	'	$32.30	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	11,000,000	'	11,000,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	7,900,000	'	7,900,000	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Outstandin

Stockholders' Equity (Outstanding Stock Options) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding shares, beginning balance	23,742,764
Granted (in shares)	241,500
Exercised	-2,936,133
Forfeited	-721,306
Expired	-101,458
Outstanding shares, ending balance	20,225,367
Stock Options Exercisable	6,900,088
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$6.64
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.72
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.94
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.17
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.29
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	$6.90
Stock Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.36
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$249.20
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$73.80
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, years	'7 years
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years

Stockholders_Equity_Outstandin1

Stockholders' Equity (Outstanding Restricted Stock) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$14,000,000	$8,800,000	$28,400,000	$22,600,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding	'	'	4,038,782	'
Granted	'	'	4,890,925	'
Converted	'	'	-1,213,639	'
Forfeited	'	'	-473,018	'
Outstanding	7,243,050	'	7,243,050	'
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$136,700,000	'	$136,700,000	'
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, years	'	'	'	'3 years
Q2 2014 RSU Award [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	1,120,000	'	1,120,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price	$35	'	$35	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	18,400,000	'	18,400,000	'
Terraform [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	25,100,000	'	25,100,000	'
Semiconductor [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Fair Value	$32,300,000	'	$32,300,000	'

11_Comprehesive_Loss_Comprehen1

(11) Comprehesive Loss Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax, not including currency adjustment related to noncontrolling interest	($44.90)	$21.30	($26.10)	($43.90)	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-49.7	-83.7	-49.7	-83.7	'	-60	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-0.1	1.9	0.4	1.9	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	0	0.8	0	0.9	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-12.3	-8.6	-12.3	-8.6	27.4	-20	-17.5	32.3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-39.7	8.9	-28.7	-40.9	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	-36.4	0	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	-39.7	8.9	7.7	-40.9	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	-6.7	0	-6.7	0	0	-7.5	-7.6
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0.8	0	0.9	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	'	0.8	0	0.9	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-10.2	-10.1	-10.2	-10.1	-5.1	-12.4	-19.8	-4.3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-5.1	9.7	2.6	-5.4	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0.4	0.4	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	'	9.7	2.2	-5.8	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-27.2	-58.3	-27.2	-58.3	-27.1	-27.6	-60.2	-60.2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	1.9	0.8	1.9	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0.1	0	0.4	0	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	'	1.9	0.4	1.9	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	-5.1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	($0.10)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	'	$26.90	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Discontinued Operations, Extraordinary Items	17.8	47.4	'
Adjustment for IRS Exam Settlement [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	83	83	65.7
Cash Cash Equivalents Short term Investments Subject To Repatriation Tax Effect	401.6	401.6	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Subject To Audit	$18.30	$18.30	$17.10

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Current assets	$84.90	$274.10
Noncurrent assets	265.3	167.2
Total assets	350.2	441.3
Current liabilities	-14.5	22
Noncurrent liabilities	-309.1	275.4
Total liabilities	($323.60)	$297.40
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Number Of Entities	13	'

14_Deferred_Revenue_and_Profit

(14) Deferred Revenue and Profit (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Current portion of deferred revenue	$123.40	$154.70
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Profit deferrals on solar energy system sales	-161.1	-68.9
Deferred subsidy revenue	22	21.1
Deferred Revenue	$306.50	$244.70

14_Deferred_Revenue_and_Profit1

(14) Deferred Revenue and Profit Deferred Revenue & Profit (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Gintech [Member]	Tainergy [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gintech deposit retained, without recourse	'	$21.90	'	'
Total deferred revenue	'	'	22	25
Gintech refundable deposit to be repaid	'	35.1	'	'
Deferred revenue, less current portion	$183.10	$90	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments	'	'	$53.80	$46.60	'
Net loss attributable to SunEdison stockholders	-283.4	-108	'	-300.3	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	8.20%	'	8.20%	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	91.80%	'	91.80%	'	'
Customer and other deposits, less current portion	23.6	'	23.6	'	103.3
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions	'	40	'	40	'
SunEdison [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment	'	42.6	'	42.6	'
Contract Termination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	29.7	'	29.7	'	'
Purchase Obligation Termination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	146.1	'	146.1	'	'
2011 Global Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	57.8	'	57.8	'	85.8
2011 Global Plan [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	29.7	'	29.7	'	40.2
Short Term Contingent Consideration [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions	'	5.5	'	5.5	'
Long Term Contingent Consideration [Domain] [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions	'	$34.50	'	$34.50	'

Reportable_Segments_Schedule_o

Reportable Segments (Schedule of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Semiconductor [Domain]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Semiconductor [Domain]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Member]

Solar Energy [Domain]

Solar [Domain]

Solar [Domain]

Solar [Domain]

Solar [Domain]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Terraform [Member]

Tainergy [Member]

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

$681,200,000

$611,500,000

$1,873,900,000

$1,456,400,000

$213,200,000

$232,600,000

$634,200,000

$709,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$437,200,000

$410,100,000

$1,211,700,000

$842,400,000

$53,200,000

$5,400,000

$83,300,000

$13,000,000

'

Intersegment elimination of net sales

-22,400,000

-36,600,000

-55,300,000

-108,000,000

800,000

400,000

1,400,000

5,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

21,300,000

35,900,000

53,100,000

101,800,000

300,000

300,000

800,000

700,000

'

Intersegment sales

22,400,000

36,600,000

55,300,000

108,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Income (Loss)

-189,800,000

-49,100,000

-376,600,000

-129,200,000

-62,500,000

21,300,000

-78,100,000

12,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

-147,800,000

-72,500,000

-329,500,000

-146,100,000

20,500,000

2,100,000

31,000,000

4,600,000

'

Interest expense

110,700,000

45,200,000

272,400,000

127,300,000

3,800,000

300,000

5,500,000

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

84,400,000

43,900,000

213,800,000

125,100,000

22,500,000

2,000,000

53,200,000

4,700,000

'

Intersegment elimination of interest expense

0

-1,000,000

-100,000

-3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

107,100,000

70,600,000

260,900,000

192,400,000

29,300,000

29,900,000

87,400,000

88,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

58,900,000

39,300,000

132,000,000

100,600,000

18,900,000

1,400,000

41,500,000

3,600,000

'

Capital expenditures

463,400,000

170,400,000

1,210,100,000

362,500,000

29,400,000

21,300,000

71,300,000

83,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

305,700,000

149,100,000

524,700,000

279,100,000

128,300,000

0

614,100,000

0

'

Construction of solar energy systems

'

'

1,028,300,000

261,300,000

'

'

'

'

376,600,000

138,800,000

1,028,300,000

261,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognition of Deferred Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

Long-lived asset impairment charges

'

'

$100,400,000

$0

'

'

$58,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$42,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17_IPO_of_SunEdison_Semiconduc1

(17) IPO of SunEdison Semiconductor, Inc. IPO of SunEdison Semiconductor (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

SMP Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SMP JV [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. [Member]

SMP Ltd. [Member]

Over-allotment [Member]

Korea (South), Won

Parent Company [Member]

Samsung Entities [Member]

Other shareholders [Member]

SMP JV [Member]

SMP JV [Member]

SMP JV [Member]

SSL IPO Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net

'

'

'

9,625,578

8,280,000

'

1,080,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments

$53,800,000

$46,600,000

'

'

'

$98,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments of Stock Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

9,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Customer and other deposits, less current portion

23,600,000

'

103,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Investment from JV Partners

93,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31,500,000

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

414,700,000

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.2

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

35.00%

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$140,700,000

Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

Shares Issued, Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

$13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56.80%

23.10%

20.00%

'

20_Subsequent_Events_Subsequen1

(20) Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 04, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Hudson Energy Solar Corporation [Domain]	Capital Dynamics Solar Fund [Domain]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	'	1500.00%	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	91.80%	8500.00%	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	'	$35	$250