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SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in affiliates |  |  |
Impairment charges on investments | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0
Impairment of long-lived assets |  |  |
Impairment charges for property, plant and equipment | 6,992 | 1,573 | 3,665
Assets retirement obligation |  |  |
Assets Retirement Obligation (ARO) included in solar power systems | 7,574 | 0 |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Inventories relating to unrecognized revenue for solar power products | 7,300 | 7,500 | 8,200
Performance-based energy incentives recognized | 16,100 | 2,000 | 1,200
Total lease income recognized related to PPAs | 6,100 | 0 | 0
Shipping and handling costs |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs relating to sales | 73,008 | 55,671 | 33,938
Research and development |  |  |
Research and development expenses | 17,056 | 12,057 | 11,685
Advertising expenses |  |  |
Advertising expenses | $ 5,953 | 6,581 | 4,669
Minimum |  |  |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Construction period | 6 months |  |
Maximum |  |  |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Construction period | 1 year |  |
Toll manufacturing arrangements |  |  |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Revenue recognized | $ 6,764 | 16,578 | 13,953
Disposal of solar power projects, option to repurchase |  |  |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Revenue recognized | 0 |  |
Distributions from the partnership | 0 |  |
Revenue recognized using the full accrual method | 557,132 | 754,210 | 211,123
Revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method | 863 | $ 137,726 | $ 81,234
Disposal of solar power projects, option to repurchase | Other non-current liabilities |  |  |
Revenue recognition |  |  |
Proceeds from buyers | $ 3,200 |  |

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