v3.6.0.2
Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Renewable Energy Credit Term Loan - Additional Information (Detail) - SolarCity [Member] - Solar Renewable Energy Credit Term Loan [Member] - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 14, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Non-recourse debt [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Maximum amount to be borrowed   $ 15,000,000    
Credit facility interest rate terms       The term loan bears interest at an annual rate of one-month LIBOR plus 9.00% or, at our option, 8.00% plus the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate or (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%.
Repayment of notes principal amount pursuant to conversions by their holders     $ 1,300,000  
Non-recourse debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate   8.00%    
Non-recourse debt [Member] | Libor Option        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate   9.00%    
Non-recourse debt [Member] | Federal Funds Purchased        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate   0.50%    
Non-recourse debt [Member] | Syndicated Revolving Bank Agreement [Member] | Libor Option        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate   1.00%    
Second Term Loan [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Maximum amount to be borrowed $ 36,400,000      
Credit facility interest rate terms       The term loan bears interest at an annual rate of one-month LIBOR plus 5.75% or, at our option, 4.75% plus the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate or (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%.
Second Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate 4.75%      
Second Term Loan [Member] | Libor Option        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate 5.75%      
Second Term Loan [Member] | Federal Funds Purchased        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate 0.50%      
Second Term Loan [Member] | Syndicated Revolving Bank Agreement [Member] | Libor Option        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Line of credit, additional interest rate 1.00%