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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Contingencies (Details)
¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, € in Millions
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 03, 2017
Oct. 19, 2015
CNY (¥)
item
Oct. 19, 2015
USD ($)
item
Jul. 14, 2015
Jun. 03, 2015
¥ / W
Jan. 21, 2015
Nov. 07, 2012
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Jul. 31, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
CNY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2011
EUR (€)
Apr. 30, 2010
item
Jun. 30, 2008
item
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2010
USD ($)
item
Dec. 31, 2007
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Contingencies                                          
Loss contingency accruals               $ 22,654     $ 23,500         $ 22,654 $ 23,500        
Class Action Lawsuits Filed in New York                                          
Contingencies                                          
Number of subpoenas | item                                     2    
Number of lawsuits filed | item                                     6    
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation                                          
Contingencies                                          
Non-cash provision related to arbitration decision                               44,100          
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)       9.67%   30.06% 13.94% 30.42%   8.52%                      
Cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)       20.94%   38.43% 15.24% 20.98% 20.94%                        
Cash deposits for module imported from China                               144,300          
Cash deposit charged into cost of sales                               132,200          
Cash deposit charged into inventories                               3,800          
True up provision                               $ 44,100          
Anti-dumping and countervailing measures period on CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells) originating in or consigned from China 18 months                                        
Canadian Solar-specific subsidies rate (RMB per Watt) | ¥ / W         0.014                                
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation | Minimum                                          
Contingencies                                          
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV imported from Taiwan (as a percent)                               3.50%          
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation | Maximum                                          
Contingencies                                          
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV imported from Taiwan (as a percent)                               4.20%          
Purchase commitment | Deutsche Solar AG                                          
Contingencies                                          
Period of supply agreement                                       12 years  
Amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law                                     $ 21,144    
Amount of damages that plaintiff can claim | €                         € 148.6                
Reclassification of provision for accrued losses on firm purchase commitments reserve to loss contingency accrual                                   $ 27,862      
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments                                   $ 17,409      
Loss contingency accruals               $ 22,654               $ 22,654          
Purchase commitment | LDK                                          
Contingencies                                          
Period of supply agreement                                       3 years  
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments                                         $ 9,798
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the Company | item                             2            
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the Company | item                           2              
Litigation settlement or awarded amount   ¥ 132,700 $ 20,800                 ¥ 248,900                  
Arbitration expenses awarded to counterparty | ¥                       ¥ 2,320                  
Number of silicon wafers committed to purchase | item   64,300,000 64,300,000                                    
Period of purchase commitment                     3 years                    
Settlement paid and recognized as General and administrative expenses                                 $ 20,800