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Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 36 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2011
Variable interest Entities [Abstract] |  |  |
Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage |  |  | 1.00%
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest |  |  | 99.00%
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions |  |  | 100.00%
Estimated Remaining Useful Life of Facility Acquired |  |  | 75.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Initial Consolidation, Gain (Loss) | $ 4 | $ 5 |
Variable Interest Entity, Discount Rate Used in Impairment Calc |  |  | 7.00%
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum |  |  | 20
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum |  |  | 25

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- Definition Estimated useful life expected to be remaining at the date of purchase in a future period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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- Definition Discount rate used in connection with impairment calculation for solar facilities owned by VIEs, which represents the reporting entity's allowed rate of return. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 272 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055 + Details
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- Definition The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References No definition available. + Details
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Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of subsidiary's or equity method investee's stock owned by parent immediately after all stock transactions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section H + Details
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- Definition The gain (loss) recognized on initial consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) when the VIE is not a business (as defined). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5710-111685 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8 -Paragraph C5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=SL6759159-111685 + Details
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