Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 842,753		$ 901,294
Marketable securities	168,993		102,578
Accounts receivable trade, net	279,131		553,567
Accounts receivable, unbilled and retainage	480,131		400,987
Inventories	388,509		434,921
Balance of systems parts	135,374		98,903
Deferred project costs	617,540		21,390
Deferred tax assets, net	41,456		44,070
Assets held for sale	49,521		49,521
Note receivable affiliate	0		17,725
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	106,518		207,368
Total current assets	3,109,926		2,832,324
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,553,205		1,525,382
Deferred project costs and project assets	573,901		845,478
Deferred tax assets, net	321,420		317,473
Restricted cash and investments	286,325		301,400
Goodwill	68,833		65,444
Inventories	133,264	[1]	134,375	[1]
Retainage	188,681		270,364
Other assets	58,870		56,452
Total assets	6,294,425		6,348,692
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	209,019		350,230
Income taxes payable	2,068		5,474
Accrued expenses	430,503		554,433
Current portion of long-term debt	61,106		62,349
Deferred revenue	2,614		2,056
Payments and Billings For Deferred Project Costs, current	778,651		94,535
Other current liabilities	49,480		32,297
Total current liabilities	1,533,441		1,101,374
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability	228,779		212,835
Long-term debt	501,111		500,223
Payments and billings for deferred project costs, noncurrent	25,746		636,518
Other liabilities	331,366		292,216
Total liabilities	2,620,443		2,743,166
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 87,624,484 and 87,145,323 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	88		87
Additional paid-in capital	2,094,104		2,065,527
Accumulated earnings	1,588,875		1,529,733
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(9,085)		10,179
Total stockholders' equity	3,673,982		3,605,526
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 6,294,425		$ 6,348,692

[1] We purchase a critical raw material that is used in our core production process in quantities that exceed anticipated consumption within our operating cycle (which is 12 months). We classify the raw materials that we do not expect to be consumed within our operating cycle as noncurrent. We regularly review the cost of inventories, including noncurrent inventories, against their estimated market value and record a lower of cost or market write-down if any inventories have a cost in excess of their estimated market value as defined by ASC 330, Inventories. We also regularly evaluate the quantities and values of our inventories, including noncurrent inventories, in light of current market conditions and market trends and record write-downs for any quantities in excess of demand and for any new obsolescence.