XML 26 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Debt and Credit Sources (Details)
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2015
USD ($)
Mar. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Bond Hedge [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
Hooper Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Residential Lease Program [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Unsecured Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 29, 2014
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
May 31, 2013
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2011
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2011
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Cash Conversion Option [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 30, 2014
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2011
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 30, 2014
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2014
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2014
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
Bond Hedge [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
0.75% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
0.75% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
May 31, 2010
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
USD ($)
installment
Mar. 29, 2015
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
CEDA Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
CEDA Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Quinto Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Quinto Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Oct. 17, 2014
Quinto Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Quinto Loan [Member]
Letter of Credit [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Quinto Loan [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Quinto Loan [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
Quinto Loan [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
Other Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Other Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 30, 2014
Other Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 30, 2014
Other Debt [Member]
ILS
Mar. 29, 2015
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Credit Agricole [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Credit Agricole [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
July 2013 Credit Agricole Syndicated Revolver [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Credit Agricole [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
August 2011 Letter of Credit [Member]
Letter of Credit [Member]
Deutsche Bank [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
August 2011 Letter of Credit [Member]
Letter of Credit [Member]
Deutsche Bank [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
September 2011 Letter of Credit [Member]
Letter of Credit [Member]
Deutsche Bank [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
September 2011 Letter of Credit [Member]
Letter of Credit [Member]
Deutsche Bank [Member]
USD ($)
May 31, 2013
Total [Member]
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2014
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
USD ($)
May 31, 2009
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Warrant (Under the CSO2014) [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Mar. 29, 2015
Warrants (Under the CSO2015) [Member]
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2012
Upfront Warrants (held by Total) [Member]
Total [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Convertible Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Convertible Debt [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.875% debentures due 2021 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.75% debentures due 2018 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Convertible Debt [Member]
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Convertible Debt [Member]
4.50% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
May 31, 2009
Convertible Debt [Member]
4.75% debentures due 2014 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.75% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Convertible Debt [Member]
0.75% debentures due 2015 [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2015
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 28, 2014
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                    
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount                                                                                                                                                 $ 45,500,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
$ 247,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Debt instrument, face value 1,012,418,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   1,180,103,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   22,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_HooperLoanMember
  8,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
8,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
[1] 249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
250,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                        79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
75,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
40,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
47,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
128,841,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
61,481,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          113,498,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 91,398,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                  200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= spwr_TotalMember
            700,079,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
949,724,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
230,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
   
Short-term 17,020,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent   262,271,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent     1,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_ResidentialLeaseProgramMember
    0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
  0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
     [1] 245,325,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                          0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
  15,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
14,983,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          2,020,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 1,963,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                                                         
Long-term 984,653,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent   901,912,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent     79,100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_ResidentialLeaseProgramMember
    395,922,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
395,475,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
  297,590,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
297,401,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
  0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
[1] 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                          79,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
79,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
  24,081,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
31,492,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
27,479,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
27,379,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
128,841,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
61,481,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          110,661,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 88,605,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                                                         
Debt instruments, carrying value 1,001,673,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue   1,164,183,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue           395,922,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
395,475,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
  297,590,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
297,401,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
  0spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
[1] 245,325,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                          79,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
79,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
  39,081,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
46,475,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
27,479,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
27,379,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
128,841,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
61,481,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          112,681,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 90,568,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
40,700,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
141,800,000spwr_DebtInstrumentsCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                                                     
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]                                                                                                                                                    
2015 9,074,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths                                                                                                                                                  
2016 23,056,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo                                                                                                                                                  
2017 23,983,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree                                                                                                                                                  
2018 308,531,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour                                                                                                                                                  
2019 9,929,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive                                                                                                                                                  
Thereafter 637,845,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive                                                                                                                                                  
Debt instrument, face value 1,012,418,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   1,180,103,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   22,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_HooperLoanMember
  8,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
8,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
[1] 249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
250,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                        79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
75,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
40,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
47,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
128,841,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
61,481,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          113,498,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 91,398,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                  200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= spwr_TotalMember
            700,079,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
949,724,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
230,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
   
Convertible Debt [Abstract]                                                                                                                                                    
Convertible debt, current portion 0us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent   245,325,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent                                                                                                                                 0us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
245,325,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
         
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent 693,591,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent [2]   692,955,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent                                                                                                                     693,591,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
938,280,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
395,922,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
395,475,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
297,590,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
297,401,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
      79,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
   
Debt instrument, face value 1,012,418,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   1,180,103,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount   22,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_HooperLoanMember
  8,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
8,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
[1] 249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
250,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                        79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
75,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
40,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
47,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_IFCMortgageLoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_CEDALoanMember
128,841,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
61,481,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
          113,498,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
[1] 91,398,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_OtherDebtMember
                  200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= spwr_TotalMember
            700,079,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
949,724,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
249,645,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
230,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
79,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
   
Fair Value                                                                                                                           821,969,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
[3] 1,019,411,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
399,688,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
[3] 358,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
422,205,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
[3] 366,750,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
[3] 294,581,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  76,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
[3] 80,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
   
Interest rate       4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
        0.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
  0.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
0.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
  0.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
                  4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
                                                                                                 
Debt instrument, convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share)                 $ 48.76us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.875debenturesdue2021Member
    $ 24.95us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
  $ 24.95us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A0.75debenturesdue2018Member
                                                                                                                       
Exercise price (in dollars per share)                                   $ 22.53us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityStrikePrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_CashConversionOptionMember
[4]     $ 22.53us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityStrikePrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
        $ 26.40us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityStrikePrice1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
                                                                                               
Repayments of Convertible Debt 324,273,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt (1,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt                                                                                                                                                
Recognized non-cash loss                                     (52,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
19,100,000us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
  (52,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_WarrantsUndertheCSO2015Member
19,100,000us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.50debenturesdue2015Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_WarrantsUndertheCSO2015Member
                                                                                                     
Non-cash interest expense 4,680,000spwr_NoncashInterestExpense 5,170,000spwr_NoncashInterestExpense                                                                                                                                                
Warrant or right, number of securities called by each warrant or right (in shares)                                                         11,100,000us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_WarrantsUndertheCSO2015Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                                                          8,700,000us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_WarrantUndertheCSO2014Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
  9,531,677us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_UpfrontWarrantsheldbyTotalMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= spwr_TotalMember
                         
Proceeds from settlement of 4.50% Bond Hedge 74,628,000spwr_Proceedsfromsettlementof4.50BondHedge 0spwr_Proceedsfromsettlementof4.50BondHedge                                                                                                                                                
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                 $ 26.40us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_WarrantUndertheCSO2014Member
$ 26.40us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_WarrantUndertheCSO2014Member
  $ 24.00us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_WarrantsUndertheCSO2015Member
$ 7.8685us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
= spwr_UpfrontWarrantsheldbyTotalMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= spwr_TotalMember
                         
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of convertible debt (in shares)                                               7,100,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
                                                                                                   
Cash paid for settlement of debt                                               41,700,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
                                                                                                   
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Indexed Shares                                                       8,700,000us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityIndexedShares
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= spwr_BondHedgeMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                                                                                           
Warrants in full, paid cash settlement                                                     68,800,000us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquitySettlementAlternativesCashAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_A4.75debenturesdue2014Member
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
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Debt instrument, delayed repayment, deferment term                                                               2 years                                                                                    
Debt instrument, number of installment payments                                                               10spwr_DebtInstrumentNumberofInstallmentPayments
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Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate                                                               3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
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Debt instrument, borrowing fee, percent of principal                                                               1.00%spwr_DebtInstrumentBorrowingFeePercentofPrincipal
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Debt instrument, commitment fee                                                               0.50%spwr_DebtInstrumentCommitmentFee
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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Debt instrument, prepayment premium                                                               1.00%spwr_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                                 9,200,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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9,200,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
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Debt instrument, term 19 years                                                                                                                                                  
Other commitment                                                                         139,000,000us-gaap_OtherCommitment
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Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]                                                                                                                                                    
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity                                                                                               250,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= spwr_CreditAgricoleMember
                                                   
Liquidity support facility, maximum capacity                                                                             377,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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59,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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318,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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            300,000,000.0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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        200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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Line of credit facility, basis spread on base loan, period two                                                                                                 0.50%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadonBaseLoanPeriodTwo
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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Line of credit facility, basis spread on libor rate, period two                                                                                               1.00%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadonLiborRatePeriodTwo
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
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0.35%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentagePeriodTwo
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= spwr_CreditAgricoleMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                                               
Line of credit facility, basis spread                                                                                   1.625%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpread
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
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Line of credit facility, basis spread on base loan rate                                                                                   0.625%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadonBaseLoanRate
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
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Line of credit facility, basis spread on federal funds                                                                                 0.50%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadonFederalFunds
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
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Line of credit facility, basis spread on libor rate                                                                                 1.00%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadonLiborRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
                                                                 
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage                                                                                 0.50%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= spwr_QuintoLoanMember
                                                                 
Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse debt financing, net of issuance costs 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts 39,108,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts                                                                                                                                                
Line of credit facility, basis spread, period two                                                                                                 1.50%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadPeriodTwo
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2.00%spwr_LineofCreditFacilityBasisSpreadPeriodTwo
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Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, in 2014                                                                                                     878,000,000spwr_LetterofCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityin2014.
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Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, in 2015                                                                                                     936,000,000spwr_LetterofCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityin2015.
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Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, in 2016                                                                                                     1,000,000,000spwr_LetterofCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityin2016.
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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Letters of Credit outstanding, amount                                                                                                     559,200,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
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Payments for Repurchase of Warrants                                                                                                               $ 81,100,000us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants
/ us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis
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[1] Other debt excludes payments related to capital leases, which are disclosed in Note 8.
[2] The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total and its affiliates as well as unconsolidated entities in which the Company has a direct equity investment. These related-party balances are recorded within the "Accounts Receivable, net," "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," and "Customer advances, net of current portion" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 6, Note 9, Note 10, and Note 11).
[3] The fair value of the convertible debt was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quarterly market prices as reported by an independent pricing source.
[4] The valuation model utilizes these inputs to value the right but not the obligation to purchase one share of the Company's common stock at $22.53. The Company utilized a Black-Scholes valuation model to value the 4.50% Bond Hedge and embedded cash conversion option. The underlying input assumptions were determined as follows:(i)Stock price. The closing price of the Company's common stock on the last trading day of the quarter.(ii)Exercise price. The exercise price of the 4.50% Bond Hedge and the embedded cash conversion option.(iii)Interest rate. The Treasury Strip rate associated with the life of the 4.50% Bond Hedge and the embedded cash conversion option.(iv)Stock volatility. The volatility of the Company's common stock over the life of the 4.50% Bond Hedge and the embedded cash conversion option.(v)Credit risk adjustment. Represents the weighted average of the credit default swap rate of the counterparties.