Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (309.9)	$ (137.0)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	192.4	168.4
Stock-based compensation	23.0	22.2
Expense for deferred taxes	40.2	4.3
Other non-cash	(21.8)	15.4
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0	17.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(95.0)	(50.5)
Inventories	44.4	79.4
Solar energy systems held for development and sale	(156.8)	(114.5)
Accounts payable	105.9	(205.4)
Deferred revenue for solar energy systems	(59.2)	101.0
Customer and other deposits	(39.5)	(34.7)
Accrued liabilities	49.4	(37.5)
Other long term liabilities	(38.1)	(140.2)
Other	(42.6)	27.8
Net cash used in operating activities	(307.6)	(283.4)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(101.2)	(100.3)
Construction of solar energy systems	(261.3)	(193.2)
Purchases of cost and equity method investments	(46.6)	(35.2)
Net proceeds from equity method investments	68.4	3.0
Change in restricted cash	(16.8)	(1.3)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(7.3)	0
Payments for (Proceeds from) Loans and Leases	0.6	4.8
Other	4.9	(0.1)
Net cash used in investing activities	(359.3)	(322.3)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from second lien term loan	0	196.0
Cash paid for contingent consideration for acquistions	(0.8)	(58.0)
Proceeds from solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations	626.4	720.3
Repayments of solar energy system financing and capital lease obligations	(64.4)	(184.0)
Net repayments of customer deposits related to long-term supply agreements	(51.7)	(23.6)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1.4)	(1.8)
Common stock issued (repurchased)	239.6	(0.1)
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests	25.9	16.4
Debt financing fees	(25.6)	(35.2)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(1.4)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	746.6	630.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(12.0)	(0.3)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	67.7	24.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	572.6	585.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	640.3	609.8
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Debt transferred to and assumed by buyer upon sale of solar energy systems	55.5	346.2
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability	$ 22.4	$ 0