Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

fronting fee

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the type of currency in which the debt instrument is required to be repaid.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of cash paid for interest, including, but not limited to, capitalized interest and payment to settle zero-coupon bond attributable to accreted interest of debt discount and debt instrument with insignificant coupon interest rate in relation to effective interest rate of borrowing attributable to accreted interest of debt discount; classified as operating and investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4297-108586

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- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as noncurrent.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as current.

+ References

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- References

No definition available.

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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Note 13. Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, $ in Millions, ₨ in Billions, ¥ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 JPY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 AUD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 AUD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 INR (₨)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 JPY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 JPY (¥)
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 482,892	$ 479,157
Less: unamortized discount and issuance costs	(11,195)	(12,366)
Total long-term debt	471,697	466,791
Less: current portion	(17,510)	(5,570)
Noncurrent portion	454,187	461,221
Interest Paid	18,800	16,600	$ 10,200
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	17,684
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	79,306
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	19,265
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	18,284
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	19,212
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	329,141
Total long-term debt future principal payments	$ 482,892
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	USD
Revolving credit facility	$ 0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	750,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 39,300	66,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.30%
Fronting fee	0.125%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.76%			3.76%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), adjusted for Eurocurrency reserve requirements, plus a margin of 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit agreement plus a margin of 1.00% depending on the type of borrowing requested
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	USD
Long-term debt, gross	$ 188,017	188,849
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| DFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	140,800	141,400
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 47,200	47,400
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Fixed Rate Basis	Fixed rate loans at bank rate plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Variable rate loans at 91-Day U.S. Treasury Bill Yield or LIBOR plus 3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Fixed Rate	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.50%
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| Fixed Rate Term Loan [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 155,800
Luz del Norte Credit Facilities [Member] \| Variable Rate Term Loan [Member] \| DFC and IFC [Member] \| Parque Solar Fotovoltaico Luz del Norte SpA [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 32,200
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 215,879	157,834
Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 215,900	157,800
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity													$ 233,900	¥ 27.3
Japan Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,678	0
Japan Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month TIBOR plus 0.55%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.55%
Japan Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| First Solar Japan GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,700	0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity															$ 33,400	¥ 4.0
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 37,304	25,468
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	3-month TIBOR plus 1.0%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Tochigi Credit Facility [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| First Solar Japan GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 37,300	25,500
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity											$ 62,200	¥ 7.0
Anamizu Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	JPY
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,138	0
Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	12,100
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 70,800			¥ 7.7
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	INR
Long-term debt, gross	$ 15,123	16,101
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Anantapur Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] \| Anantapur Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 15,100	16,100
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity									$ 18,400	₨ 1.2
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	INR
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,753	13,934
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	INR overnight indexed swap rate plus 1.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Tungabhadra Credit Facility [Member] \| J.P. Morgan Securities India Private Limited [Member] \| Tungabhadra Solar Parks Private Limited [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 12,800	13,900
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity									$ 15,300	₨ 1.0
Beryl Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Currency	AUD
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0	76,971
Beryl Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt, gross		77,000			$ 88,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		96,100				$ 136.4	$ 108,100	$ 146.4
Senior Loan Facility [Member] \| Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Senior loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.75% (2)
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Senior Loan Facility [Member] \| Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity													205,600	24.0
Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity													18,000	2.1
Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Consumption tax facility at 3-month TIBOR plus 0.5%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Consumption Tax Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 6,500			0.7
Construction Loans [Member] \| Beryl Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		88,400				125.4
Goods and Service Tax Facility [Member] \| Beryl Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		4,900				7.0
Letter of Credit Facility [Member] \| Ishikawa Credit Agreement [Member] \| Mizuho Bank [Member] \| FS Japan Project 12 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity													$ 10,300	¥ 1.2
Letter of Credit Facility [Member] \| Beryl Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Société Générale, Hong Kong Branch; and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS NSW Project No 1 Finco Pty Ltd [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 2,800				$ 4.0
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Term loan facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 0.70% (2)
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.70%
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 61,000			6.6
Debt Service Reserve Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	Debt service reserve facility at 6-month TIBOR plus 1.20%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.20%
Debt Service Reserve Facility [Member] \| Anamizu Credit Facility [Member] \| MUFG Bank, Ltd.; The Iyo Bank, Ltd.; The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.; The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.; and The Yamagata Bank, Ltd. [Member] \| FS Japan Project 31 GK [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 3,300			¥ 0.4