Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2018	Feb. 08, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document - Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 30, 2018
Entity Registrant Name	SUNPOWER CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000867773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 469
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		141,383,535