Name:	spwr_WeightedAverageDiscountRateAbstract
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	spwr_WeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermInYearsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	spwr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of interest expense on finance lease liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 53
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479589/842-20-55-53

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479041/842-20-45-4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-4

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

- References

No definition available.

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

Amount of cash outflow for principal payment on finance lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
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-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479041/842-20-45-5

Name:	us-gaap_FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of amortization expense attributable to right-of-use asset from finance lease.

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

Amount of lease cost recognized by lessee for lease contract.

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

Discount rate used by lessee to determine present value of finance lease payments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-3

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeFinanceLeaseDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Term of lessee's finance lease, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-3

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeFinanceLeaseTermOfContract1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Discount rate used by lessee to determine present value of operating lease payments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-3

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Term of lessee's operating lease, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of single lease cost, calculated by allocation of remaining cost of lease over remaining lease term. Includes, but is not limited to, single lease cost, after impairment of right-of-use asset, calculated by amortization of remaining right-of-use asset and accretion of lease liability.

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

Amount of cash outflow from operating lease, excluding payments to bring another asset to condition and location necessary for its intended use.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479041/842-20-45-5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-4

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of short-term lease cost, excluding expense for lease with term of one month or less.

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

Amount of variable lease cost, excluded from lease liability, recognized when obligation for payment is incurred for finance and operating leases.