v3.6.0.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Customer
Vehicles
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Resale value guarantees, current portion $ 179,504 $ 136,831  
Maximum repurchase price of vehicles under resale value arrangement 855,900    
Accounts receivable, net 499,142 168,965  
Automotive leasing revenues 5,589,007 3,431,587 $ 2,874,448
Marketing, promotional and advertising cost $ 48,000 $ 58,300 48,900
Number of customers representing more than ten percentage of accounts receivable | Customer 1    
Accounts receivable from OEM customers excess percentage 10.00% 15.00%  
Total cost of operating lease vehicles $ 3,530,000 $ 2,000,000  
Accumulated depreciation related to leased vehicles $ 399,500 216,500  
Operating lease description Our leases are accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. To determine lease classification, we evaluate lease terms to determine whether there is a transfer of ownership or bargain purchase option at the end of the lease, whether the lease term is greater than 75% of the useful life, or whether the present value of minimum lease payments exceed 90% of the fair value at lease inception.    
Minimum percentage of useful life for lease term 75.00%    
Percentage of minimum lease payment of fair value 90.00%    
Estimated productive life for tooling | Vehicles 250,000    
Adjustment attributable to the current rate translation of non-monetary assets $ 10,000    
Gain (loss) from foreign currency transaction $ 26,100 (45,600) 2,000
Product warranty description we also provide a warranty on the installation and components of the solar energy systems we sell for periods typically between 10 to 30 years.    
Assumed warranty liability from acquisition $ 31,366    
Warranty costs incurred for operating lease vehicles collateralized debt arrangements 19,000 9,500  
Liability recorded relating to guarantees 1,210,028 422,798  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 194,465 115,667  
Other assets $ 216,751 46,858  
New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (9,600)  
Other assets   (15,000)  
Reclassified out of current portion of long term debt in to the additional capital   5,200  
Solar energy systems leased and to be leased [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives of assets (in years) 30 years    
Liability recorded relating to guarantees $ 6,600    
SolarCity [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of customers with known disputes or collection issues | Customer 0    
Number of customers with material non-accrual or past due notes receivable | Customer 0    
Regulatory Credits [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Automotive leasing revenues $ 302,300 168,700 216,300
Deferred lease revenue [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Deferred upfront payments 67,200 25,800  
Automotive leasing revenues 112,700 41,200 $ 4,400
Sales To Leasing Companies With Guarantee [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Deferred upfront payments 289,100 120,500  
Resale value guarantees 1,180,000 527,500  
Accounts receivable, net 57,000 33,600  
Gigafactory [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Capital investments 3,500,000    
Tax credit amount $ 45,000    
Incentive beginning period Oct. 17, 2014    
Incentive ending period Jun. 30, 2034    
Minimum [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Guarantee period for resale 36 months    
Direct lease term 36 months    
Minimum [Member] | Solar energy systems leased and to be leased [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives 2 years    
Estimated useful lives of assets (in years) 30 years    
Minimum [Member] | Internal-use software [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives 3 years    
Maximum [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Guarantee period for resale 39 months    
Direct lease term 48 months    
Maximum [Member] | Solar energy systems leased and to be leased [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives 30 years    
Estimated useful lives of assets (in years) 35 years    
Maximum [Member] | Internal-use software [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives 10 years    
Vehicle maintenance and service plans [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Deferred upfront payments $ 291,200 $ 138,200  
Customer payments [Member]      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Deferred upfront payments $ 268,200