Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail)

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Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2012
Real Goods Solar Deconsolidated
Sep. 30, 2012
Real Goods Solar Deconsolidated
Jun. 30, 2012
Real Goods Solar Deconsolidated
Mar. 31, 2012
Real Goods Solar Deconsolidated
Dec. 31, 2011
Real Goods Solar Consolidated
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]              
Loss from equity method investment $ (18,410,000) [1]   $ (830,000) $ (15,940,000) [2] $ (944,000) $ (696,000)  
Income tax expense benefits       5,700,000     7,100,000
Goodwill impairment charges   22,456,000         22,500,000
Loss from deconsolidation pretax   $ (4,550,000) [1]         $ (4,500,000)
[1] RSOL was deconsolidated and accounted for as an equity method investment effective December 31, 2011. Consequently, RSOL is reported as an equity method investment for the year ended December 31, 2012 and as a consolidated subsidiary for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
[2] During the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a noncash loss from our equity method investment in RSOL of $15.9 million and related income tax benefits of $5.7 million. See Note 3. Equity Method Investment and Receivable From Investee.