v3.6.0.2
Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - MyPower Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) - SolarCity [Member] - Non-recourse debt [Member] - MyPower Revolving Credit Facility [Member] - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 16, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Jan. 09, 2015
Class A [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Rate   2.50%  
Class B [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Basis interest rate on remaining amount   3.00%  
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Maximum amount to be borrowed     $ 200,000,000
Credit facility interest rate terms   The Class A notes bear interest at an annual rate of (i) for the first $160.0 million, 2.50% and (ii) for the remaining $40.0 million, 3.00%; in each case, plus (a) the commercial paper rate or (b) 1.50% plus adjusted LIBOR. The Class B notes bear interest at an annual rate of 5.00% plus LIBOR.  
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Class A [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Credit facility interest rate terms   The fee for undrawn commitments under the Class A notes is 0.50% per annum for the first $160.0 million of undrawn commitments and 0.75% per annum for the remaining $40.0 million of undrawn commitments  
Principal amount of convertible senior notes     160,000,000
Line of credit, fee for undrawn commitments   0.50%  
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Class B [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Credit facility interest rate terms   The fee for undrawn commitments under the Class B notes is 0.50% per annum.  
Principal amount of convertible senior notes     $ 40,000,000
Line of credit, additional interest rate 5.00%    
Line of credit, fee for undrawn commitments   0.75%  
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Line of credit, additional interest rate   1.50%