Long-term Debt - Extinguishment of Debt, Interest, and Subsequent Events (Details)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 16, 2016
May 31, 2016
May 06, 2016
Apr. 21, 2016
power_plant
Jan. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt               $ (2,298) $ 0 $ 0
Repayments of senior debt               6,800 0 0
Interest income               2,600 1,400 $ 0
Global Operating LLC | Applicable foreign currency hedging counterparty | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, debt covenant, grace period for annual report 120 days                  
Debt instrument, debt covenant, cure period 30 days                  
India PSA | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Acquisition of projects, number of projects with accelerated debt maturities | power_plant       2            
South Africa Projects | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Acquisition of projects, number of projects with accelerated debt maturities | power_plant       3            
Project level                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Amount of debt repurchased               475,900    
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt               (3,700)    
Construction financing                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Interest capitalized               1,800 $ 1,600  
Senior Notes | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Amount of debt repurchased             $ 49,600      
Senior Notes | 9.75% senior notes due 2022                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Amount of debt repurchased           $ 8,600        
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt               1,400    
Debt repurchase program, authorized amount           40,000   40,000    
Repayments of senior debt           6,800        
Prepayment fees and interest           400        
Senior Notes | 9.75% senior notes due 2022 | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Amount of debt repurchased         $ 41,000   49,600      
Repayments of senior debt         33,200   40,000      
Prepayment fees and interest         $ 1,900   $ 2,300      
Senior Notes | 9.75% senior notes due 2022 | Accounts payable                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Repurchase program, principal and interest due               400    
Senior Notes | 9.75% senior notes due 2022 | Global Operating LLC | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, debt covenant, grace period for annual report   60 days                
Debt instrument, debt covenant, cure period   90 days                
Revolving credit facility | Global Operating LLC revolver                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Line of credit outstanding           $ 135,000   $ 135,000    
Revolving credit facility | Global Operating LLC revolver | Global Operating LLC | Subsequent event                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, debt covenant, grace period for annual report     75 days