Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Dec. 31, 2013 |
Sep. 30, 2015 |
Aug. 05, 2015 |
|
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Income tax benefit at U.S. federal statutory rate | 35.00% | 35.00% | 35.00% | ||
| Increase in valuation allowance | $ 252,200 | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 4,858 | $ 1,700 | $ (1,651) | ||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ (28,944) | $ (2,684) | |||
| Global LLC | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Ownership percentage by parent | 65.10% | 65.10% | |||
| SunEdison | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Ownership percentage by other entities | 34.90% | 34.90% | |||
| IPO | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ 5,500 | ||||
| Additional Paid-in Capital | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Increase in valuation allowance | $ 169,800 | ||||
| Income Tax Expense | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Increase in valuation allowance | 82,500 | ||||
| Minority owner | SunEdison | |||||
| Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | $ 3,700 | ||||