Name:	csiq_BankPayableCurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Represents the carrying amount at the balance sheet date of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy, with a maturity within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer from the date of borrowing.

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_LongTermNonBankLoansAndNotesPayableCurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank which includes the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_NonBankBorrowingsCurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_DebtCurrent
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph 2, 3
-Article 9

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Period Type:	instant

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount at the balance sheet date of borrowings from a creditor other than a bank, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy, with a maturity within one year (or within one operating cycle if longer) from the date of borrowing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermNonBankLoansAndNotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByInventoryMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtGuaranteedByRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByLandUseRightAndPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByProjectAssetsAndSolarPowerSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=csiq_DebtSecuredByEquityMember
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