Balance Sheet Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Jan. 01, 2017	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Assets Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	$ 2,900		$ 2,300
Accounts receivable, net:
Accounts receivable, gross	252,840		242,451
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts4	(35,387)		(20,380)
Less: allowance for sales returns	(1,974)		(2,433)
Accounts receivable, net	215,479	[1]	219,638
Short-term financing receivable	(19,095)		(19,261)
Short-term retainage	13,200		8,800
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Finance Receivables Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	1,700		300
Pledged Assets, Not Separately Reported, Finance Receivables	113,400		18,600
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	59,288		136,906
Work-in-process	111,164		184,967
Finished goods	182,377		79,834
Inventories	352,829		401,707
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Deferred project costs1	39,770		68,338
VAT receivables, current portion	11,561		14,260
Deferred costs for solar power systems to be leased	25,076		28,705
Derivative financial instruments	2,612		4,802
Prepaid inventory	0		83,943
Other receivables	49,015		85,834
Prepaid taxes	426		5,468
Other prepaid expenses	23,433		24,260
Other current assets	551		60
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	152,444	[1]	315,670
Project Assets [Abstract]
Project assets — plants	90,879		389,103
Project assets — land	12,184		18,927
Project assets - plants and land	103,063		408,030
Project assets - plants and land, current portion1	103,063	[1]	374,459
Project assets - plants and land, net of current portion	0		33,571
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Manufacturing equipment	406,026		403,808
Land and buildings	197,084		130,080
Leasehold improvements	297,522		280,620
Solar power systems	451,875		207,277
Computer equipment	111,183		185,518
Furniture and fixtures	12,621		12,591
Construction-in-process	14,166		39,849
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,490,477		1,259,743
Less: accumulated depreciation	(342,435)		(232,677)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,148,042		1,027,066
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Collateralized Equipment	6,400		400
Solar power systems, sale leaseback	419,000		177,100
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,148,042		1,027,066
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Equity method investments1	(15,515)		(6,931)
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Noncurrent			11,429
Cost method investments	35,840		39,423
Other2	59,821		141,598
Other long-term assets	80,146	[1]	185,519
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Employee compensation and employee benefits	53,225		43,370
Deferred revenue	41,121		27,649
Interest payable	15,396		15,329
Short-term warranty reserves	25,222		4,894
Restructuring reserve	3,886		18,001
VAT payables	8,691		4,743
Derivative financial instruments	1,452		2,023
Inventory payable	0		83,943
Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners IPO attributable to pre-COD projects	0		3,665
Contributions from noncontrolling interests attributable to pre-COD projects	0		93,875
Taxes payable	21,352		25,602
Other	76,026		36,418
Accrued liabilities	267,760	[1]	391,226
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	183,601		188,932
Long-term warranty reserves	156,082		156,315
Long-term sale-leaseback financing	479,597		204,879
Long-term residential lease financing with 8point3 Energy Partners	29,245		29,370
Unrecognized tax benefits	19,399		47,203
Long-term pension liability	4,465		3,381
Derivative financial instruments	1,174		448
Long-term liability due to AU Optronics	57,611		71,639
Liability due to AU Optronics	21,389		31,714
Other	23,472		18,865
Other long-term liabilities	954,646	[1]	721,032
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative translation adjustment	(6,631)		(12,249)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(561)		1,203	$ 5,942	$ (1,443)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	(541)		1,203
Net gain on long-term pension liability adjustment	4,164		4,228
Deferred taxes	0		(420)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (3,008)		(7,238)
Residential Lease, Lease Agreement, Maximum Term	20 years
Pledged Solar Assets, book value	$ 112,400		13,100
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	5.8
IFC Mortgage Loan [Member]
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Collateralized Equipment			14,300
UNITED STATES
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 489,167		276,053
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	489,167		276,053
PHILIPPINES
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	325,601		373,286
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	325,601		373,286
MALAYSIA
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	233,824		275,980
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	233,824		275,980
MEXICO
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	80,560		81,419
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	80,560		81,419
Europe [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	18,767		20,154
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	18,767		20,154
NOT USED (Deprecated 2016-08-31)
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, plant and equipment, net	123		174
Property, plant and equipment, net by geography:
Property, plant and equipment, net	123		174
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	20,380		15,505	18,152
Charges (Releases) to Expenses / Revenues	15,609		7,319	1,163
Deductions	7,094		2,445	3,810
Balance at End of Period	28,895		20,380	15,505
Allowance for Sales Returns [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	2,433		1,907	1,145
Charges (Releases) to Expenses / Revenues	(459)		526	762
Deductions	0		0	0
Balance at End of Period	1,974		2,433	1,907
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	497,236		268,671	118,748
Charges (Releases) to Expenses / Revenues	61,610		228,565	149,923
Deductions	0		0	0
Balance at End of Period	558,846		497,236	$ 268,671
8Point3 Energy [Member]
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Equity method investments1	(82,800)		60,600
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other long-term assets [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Noncurrent	$ 0		$ 11,429

[1] The Company has related-party balances for transactions made with Total S.A. 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," "Project assets - plants and land, current portion," "Prepaid expenses and other current assets," "Other long-term assets," "Accounts payable," "Accrued liabilities," "Customer advances, current portion," "Convertible debt, current portion," "Convertible debt, net of current portion," "Customer advances, net of current portion," and "Other long-term liabilities" financial statement line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2, Note 7, Note 9, Note 10, Note 11, and Note 12).