Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum
Dec. 31, 2013
Foreign Tax Authority
Dec. 31, 2012
Real Goods Solar
Dec. 31, 2011
Real Goods Solar
Income Taxes [Line Items]              
Income tax expense (benefit)           $ 6,000,000 $ 7,100,000
Credit to additional paid-in capital             600,000
Ownership percentage in a subsidiary     51.40% 80.00%      
Undistributed foreign earnings for which provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes made         300,000    
Establishment of valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets 23,153,000 23,153,000          
Deferred tax asset related to Tax Sharing Agreement     1,600,000     1,600,000  
Tax deductions recorded to additional paid-in capital as a result of the exercise of stock options   500,000          
Tax benefits recorded to additional paid-in capital as a result of the exercise of stock options   700,000          
Additional paid-in capital charged as a result of adjustments to a deferred tax liability             $ 900,000