Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.3.1.900
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Net operating loss $ (397) $ 6,589 $ 20,757
Establishment of valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets (103) 4,071 $ 23,153
Tax benefits recorded to additional paid-in capital as a result of the exercise of stock options $ 100 $ 1,300  
Federal income tax rate 34.00% 34.00% 34.00%
Real Goods Solar      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Federal income tax rate 34.00%    
Operating loss carryforwards, if unused, expiration year 2018    
Portion of net operating loss carryforwards $ 4,400    
Deferred tax asset related to Tax Sharing Agreement $ 1,600    
Maximum      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage in a subsidiary 80.00%    
Federal [Member]      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Net operating loss $ 79,300    
State [Member]      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Net operating loss 16,600    
Foreign Tax Authority      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Undistributed foreign earnings for which provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes made $ 200