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

The carrying amount as of the date of the latest financial statement presented of accounts receivable which is transferred to serve as collateral for debt obligations, and for which the transferee does not have the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

No definition available.

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

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of inventory, which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedInventory
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of prepaid land use right, which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement.

No definition available.

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

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of property, plant and equipment, which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	csiq_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	csiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of restricted cash owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement, and for which the transferee is not permitted to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

No definition available.

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

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of project assets and solar power systems, which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement.

No definition available.

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

The carrying amount as of the date of the latest financial statement presented of equity which is transferred to serve as collateral for debt obligations, and for which the transferee does not have the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

No definition available.

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

Represents the carrying amount of short-term borrowings secured by assets.

No definition available.

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

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

No definition available.

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

- References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of all notes and loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of borrowings classified as other, maturing within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the portion of long-term, collateralized debt obligations due within one year or the operating cycle, if longer. Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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Carrying amount of collateralized debt obligations with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, excluding the current portion. Obligations include, but not limited to, mortgage loans, chattel loans, and other borrowings secured by assets.

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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.

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