Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Product Warranties - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Product warranty liability, beginning of period	$ 252,408	$ 231,751	$ 223,057
Accruals for new warranties issued	23,313	35,256	50,040
Settlements	(11,329)	(16,266)	(13,392)
Changes in estimate of product warranty liability	(40,118)	1,667	(27,954)
Product warranty liability, end of period	224,274	252,408	231,751
Current portion of warranty liability	28,767	40,079	38,468
Noncurrent portion of warranty liability	195,507	$ 212,329	$ 193,283
Reduction in the estimated replacement cost of modules	$ 31,300
Percentage Point Change in Estimated Rate of Return of Module Warranty	1.00%
Estimated Change in Module Warranty from Sensitivity Analysis	$ 71,000
Percentage Point Change in Estimated Rate of Return of Balance of Systems Warranty	1.00%
Minimum [Member]
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Estimated rate of return for module warranty	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Estimated rate of return for module warranty	3.00%