v3.7.0.1
VIE Arrangements - Carrying Amounts and Classification of the VIEs' Assets and Liabilities Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:        
Cash $ 206,364 $ 203,864 $ 152,154 $ 99,699
Restricted cash 11,882 9,203    
Accounts receivable, net 60,258 60,275    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,802 5,917    
Total current assets 369,345 359,715    
Solar energy systems, net 2,629,366 1,992,021    
Other assets 34,936 29,502    
Total assets [1] 3,572,818 2,734,592    
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable 66,018 104,133    
Distributions payable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests 10,654 8,144    
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 59,261 49,146    
Deferred revenue, current portion 70,849 59,726    
Deferred grants, current portion 8,011 13,949    
Long-term non-recourse debt, current portion 14,153 4,722    
Total current liabilities 244,784 252,481    
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 583,401 559,066    
Deferred grants, net of current portion 226,893 220,784    
Long-term non-recourse debt, net of current portion 639,870 333,042    
Total liabilities [1] 2,510,725 1,927,893    
Variable Interest Entities        
Current assets:        
Cash 120,728 44,407    
Restricted cash 1,680 757    
Accounts receivable, net 20,771 12,965    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 242 66    
Total current assets 143,421 58,195    
Solar energy systems, net 1,920,330 1,305,420    
Other assets 1,481 0    
Total assets 2,065,232 1,363,615    
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable 14,873 11,025    
Distributions payable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests 10,654 8,063    
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 782 175    
Deferred revenue, current portion 25,827 21,344    
Deferred grants, current portion 3,644 7,198    
Long-term non-recourse debt, current portion 8,616 1,159    
Total current liabilities 64,396 48,964    
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 396,858 353,392    
Deferred grants, net of current portion 105,390 108,528    
Long-term non-recourse debt, net of current portion 50,367 29,580    
Total liabilities $ 617,011 $ 540,464    
[1] The Company’s consolidated assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 include $2,065,232 and $1,363,615, respectively, in assets of variable interest entities, or “VIEs”, that can only be used to settle obligations of the VIEs. Solar energy systems, net, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,920,330 and $1,305,420, respectively; cash as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $120,728 and $44,407, respectively; restricted cash as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,680 and $757, respectively; accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $20,771 and $12,965, respectively; prepaid expenses and other current assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $242 and $66, respectively and other assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,481 and $0, respectively. The Company’s consolidated liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 include $617,011 and $540,464, respectively, in liabilities of VIEs whose creditors have no recourse to the Company. These liabilities include accounts payable as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $14,873 and $11,025, respectively; distributions payable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $10,654 and $8,063, respectively; accrued expenses and other liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $782 and $175, respectively; deferred revenue as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $422,685 and $374,736, respectively; deferred grants as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $109,034 and $115,726, respectively; and long-term non-recourse debt as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $58,983 and $30,739, respectively.