Leasing (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
		Jun. 28, 2015		Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 28, 2015		Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Leasing [Line Items]
Capital leases, maximum term					20 years
Solar power systems leased and to be leased [Abstract]
Solar power systems leased, gross		$ 470,532	[1],[2]		$ 470,532	[1],[2]		$ 396,704
Solar power systems to be leased, gross		23,994	[1],[2]		23,994	[1],[2]		21,202
Solar Power Systems Leased And To Be Leased, Gross		494,526	[1],[2]		494,526	[1],[2]		417,906
Accumulated depreciation - residential lease		(35,818)	[1],[2]		(35,818)	[1],[2]		(26,993)
Solar Power Systems Leased And To Be Leased, Net		458,708	[1],[2]		458,708	[1],[2]		390,913
Pledged Solar Assets, book value		0			0			140,100
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2015	[3]	9,252			9,252
2016	[3]	17,068			17,068
2017	[3]	17,112			17,112
2018	[3]	17,162			17,162
2019	[3]	17,213			17,213
Thereafter	[3]	248,240			248,240
Minimum future rental receipts	[3]	326,047			326,047
Financing receivables:
Financing receivable, gross		283,936	[4],[5]		283,936	[4],[5]		319,244
Unguaranteed residual value		42,248			42,248			34,343
Unearned income		(55,719)			(55,719)			(74,859)
Net financing receivables		270,465			270,465			278,728
Current		9,389			9,389			9,141
Long-term		261,076			261,076			269,587
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	[5]	7,240			7,240
2016	[5]	13,803			13,803
2017	[5]	13,924			13,924
2018	[5]	14,052			14,052
2019	[5]	14,184			14,184
Thereafter	[5]	220,733			220,733
Financing receivable, gross		283,936	[4],[5]		283,936	[4],[5]		319,244
Third-Party Financing Arrangements [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		0			0			$ 28,600
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		46,046		$ 22,200	91,936		$ 52,778
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest - leasing operations		30,100			49,700
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests		29,975		$ 12,934	$ 49,444		$ 34,944
Sale-Leaseback [Abstract]
Sale leaseback transactions, lease term					20 years
Purchase Price Agreement, Term					25 years
Future minimum lease obligations		92,500			$ 92,500
Operating lease, term					20 years
Sale leaseback, minimum lease obligation		$ 110,400			$ 110,400

[1] As of June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, the Company had pledged solar assets with an aggregate book value of zero and $140.1 million, respectively, to third-party investors as security for the Company's contractual obligations.

[2] Solar power systems leased and to be leased, net are physically located exclusively in the United States.

[3] Minimum future rentals on operating leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives.

[4] 1 Net of allowance for doubtful accounts.

[5] Minimum future rentals on sales-type leases placed in service does not include contingent rentals that may be received from customers under agreements that include performance-based incentives.