Note 24. Segment and Geographical Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014 segments	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	2us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Net sales	$ 3,391,814us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,308,989us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,368,545us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Gross profit	827,105us-gaap_GrossProfit	862,754us-gaap_GrossProfit	852,749us-gaap_GrossProfit
Depreciation and amortization expense	246,649	238,774	265,390
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	431,991	378,380	(39,804)
Goodwill	84,985us-gaap_Goodwill	84,985us-gaap_Goodwill	65,444us-gaap_Goodwill
Total assets	6,724,439us-gaap_Assets	6,883,502us-gaap_Assets	6,348,692us-gaap_Assets
Long-lived assets	2,288,399us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets	2,672,431us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,042,633	2,831,475	2,696,972
Long-lived assets	1,206,333	1,456,438
GERMANY
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	121,941	142,028	104,689
INDIA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	44,118	8,253	66,732
AUSTRALIA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	157,152	604	30,925
FRANCE
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8,409	35,772	70,173
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	7,085	264,573	389,427
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	569	21,137	0
All other foreign countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9,907	5,147	9,627
Long-lived assets	145,584	321,762
MALAYSIA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	936,482	894,231
Solar module [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	228,319	380,869	325,427
Solar power system [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,163,495	2,928,120	3,043,118
Components segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,102,674	1,173,947	1,185,958
Gross profit	93,510	88,506	55,762
Depreciation and amortization expense	223,381	211,357	243,070
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(107,088)	(222,382)	(687,767)
Goodwill	16,152	16,152	0
Total assets	4,169,209	4,180,568	3,920,385
Systems segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,289,140	2,135,042	2,182,587
Gross profit	733,595	774,248	796,987
Depreciation and amortization expense	23,268	27,417	22,320
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	539,079	600,762	647,963
Goodwill	68,833	68,833	65,444
Total assets	$ 2,555,230	$ 2,702,934	$ 2,428,307

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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