Document and Entity Information Document (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	SUNPOWER CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000867773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,123
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		133,269,858