Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Our Portfolio - Analysis of Portfolio by Type of Obligor and Credit Quality (Parenthetical) (Detail)

v3.5.0.2
Our Portfolio - Analysis of Portfolio by Type of Obligor and Credit Quality (Parenthetical) (Detail)
$ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Transactions
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Total financing receivable $ 865,481 $ 783,967
Number of transactions | Transactions 88  
Financial receivable outstanding, Average Remaining Balance $ 11,000  
Total aggregate remaining balance 31,000  
Investment Grade By Independent Rating Agency [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Total financing receivable 11,000  
U.S. Federal Government [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Total financing receivable 230,000  
State, Local, Institutions [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Total financing receivable 190,000  
Maximum [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Financial receivable outstanding, Average Remaining Balance 1,000  
Commercial Investment Grade [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Financial receivable outstanding, Average Remaining Balance 10,000  
Commercial Investment Grade [Member] | Residential Solar Loan [Member] | Subsidiaries Of SunPower Corporation [Member]    
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]    
Total financing receivable $ 260,000