Represents the amount of adjustment made to the reserve for accrued losses on firm purchase commitment.

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_AccruedLossOnFirmPurchaseCommitmentReserveAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the total cost of sales charge recorded for cash deposit for module imported from China.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_CostOfSalesChargeRecordedForCashDepositModuleImportedFromChina
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash deposit charged into inventories

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_InventoriesRecordedForCashDepositModuleImportedFromChina
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyAmountNotAccruedDueToTakeOrPayProvisionOfAgreementWhichAreVoidUnderGermanLaw
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of arbitration expenses claimed by counterparty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyArbitrationExpensesClaimedByCounterparty
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of attorney expenses claimed by counterparty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyAttorneyExpensesClaimedByCounterparty
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of bad debt allowances against the balance of advance payments as a result of the termination of the long-term supply contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyBadDebtAllowanceAgainstBalanceOfAdvancePayments
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China on or after a specified date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateAntiDumpingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China on or after a specified date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateCountervailingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of compensation claimed by counterparty for losses due to the alleged breach of the agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyCompensationClaimedByCounterpartyForLossesDueToAllegedBreachOfAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the forfeiture of advance claimed by the counterparty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyForfeitureOfAdvanceClaimedByCounterparty
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of liability in case of reversal of orders by court.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyLiabilityForReversalOfOrderByCourt
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of advance payments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyNumberOfAdvancePayments
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of advance payments forfeited.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyNumberOfAdvancePaymentsForfeited
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of penalty claimed by counterparty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyPenaltyClaimedByCounterparty
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of provision for loss contingency reversed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyProvisionReversed
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the refund amount of advances asked by the entity under arbitration request.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyRefundAmountOfAdvancesAskedByEntityUnderArbitrationRequest
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the refund of advance payment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_LossContingencyRefundOfAdvancePayment
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the entity during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_NumberOfLongTermSupplyPurchaseAgreementsEntered
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the entity during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_NumberOfLongTermSupplyPurchaseAgreementsTerminated
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of subpoenas received during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_NumberOfSubpoenasReceived
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the payments for cash deposit on module imported from China by using the preliminary deposits rate determined by USITC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_PaymentsForCashDepositsForModuleImportedFromChina
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of supply agreement entered into by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	csiq_SupplyAgreementPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A fee charged for services from professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants. The term is often expanded to include other professions, for example, pharmacists charging to maintain a medicinal profile of a client or customer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07.2(a),(b),(c),(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606610-122999

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (k)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488370&loc=d3e13550-115849

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2)			12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended						12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 Class Action Lawsuits Filed in New York item	Jan. 21, 2015 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties	Nov. 07, 2012 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties	Dec. 31, 2014 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG	Dec. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG USD ($)	Nov. 29, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK CNY	Mar. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK CNY	Dec. 31, 2012 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Purchase commitment LDK CNY	Oct. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK CNY item	Apr. 30, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK item	Jun. 30, 2008 Purchase commitment LDK item	Dec. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($)	Nov. 29, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK CNY	Mar. 31, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK Maximum CNY	Oct. 31, 2007 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2007 CNY item	Oct. 18, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2007 CNY	Mar. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY	Jun. 30, 2008 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY item	Oct. 18, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY
Contingencies
Period of supply agreement									12 years														3 years			10 years
Amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law										$ 21,143,853
Amount of damages that plaintiff can claim							148,600,000				248,900,000
Reclassification of provision for accrued losses on firm purchase commitments reserve to loss contingency accrual								27,862,017
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments								17,408,593										9,797,708	9,840,223
Loss contingency accruals	26,205,679	29,698,844						26,205,679
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the Company																	2
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the Company																2
Refund amount of advances asked by the Company under arbitration request																								25,000,000			35,000,000
Forfeiture of advance claimed by counterparty															60,000,000
Compensation claimed by counterparty for losses due to the alleged breach of the agreements												530,000,000		248,900,000	377,000,000
Penalty claimed by counterparty															15,200,000
Arbitration expenses claimed by counterparty														2,200,000								4,700,000
Non-cash provision related to arbitration decision													30,000,000					0
Amount of provision reversed																					30,000,000
Number of lawsuits filed			6
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)				30.06%	13.94%
Cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)				38.43%	15.24%
Cash deposits for module imported from China						39,100,000
Cash deposit charged into cost of sales						36,000,000
Cash deposit charged into inventories						3,100,000
Refund of advance payments																							10,000,000		35,000,000	50,000,000
Attorney fees																									1,000,000
Number of advance payments																							2			2
Number of advance payments forfeited															3
Liability for payment for reversal of decision by court																				191,200,000
Attorney expenses claimed by counterparty												1,200,000
Number of subpoenas			2