Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Revolving Aggregation Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) - SolarCity [Member] - Non-recourse debt [Member] - Revolving Aggregation Credit Facility [Member] - USD ($) |
12 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2016 |
May 04, 2015 |
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
| Maximum amount to be borrowed | $ 500,000,000 | |
| Line of credit, additional interest rate | 3.25% | |
| Credit facility interest rate terms | The revolving aggregation credit facility bears interest at an annual rate of 3.25% plus (i) for commercial paper loans, the commercial paper rate and (ii) for LIBOR loans, at our option, three-month LIBOR or daily LIBOR. |