Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Real Goods Solar
Sep. 30, 2013
Real Goods Solar
Jun. 30, 2013
Real Goods Solar
Dec. 31, 2012
Real Goods Solar
Dec. 31, 2011
Real Goods Solar
Sep. 30, 2012
Real Goods Solar Deconsolidated
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]                          
Gain from settlement of loans               $ 6,700,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 16,400,000      
Carrying values of equity method investment               0          
Exit and restructuring cost 11,000,000                        
Loss from sell of discontinued operations (2,000,000)         (2,396,000)              
Establishment of valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets 23,153,000         23,153,000              
Loss from equity method investment   (830,000) (15,940,000) [1] (944,000) (696,000)   (18,410,000) [2]           15,900,000
Income tax expense benefits                     $ 6,000,000 $ 7,100,000 $ 5,700,000
[1] 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.
[2] RSOL was deconsolidated and accounted for as an equity method investment from December 31, 2011 until May 28, 2013, when it became a cost method investment. Consequently, RSOL is reported as an equity method investment for the year ended December 31, 2012 and as a consolidated subsidiary for the year ended December 31, 2011.