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11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Notes)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Text Block]
11. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

We recognize revenue for module sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of the modules to the customer, which typically occurs upon delivery of the modules to the location specified in the terms of the underlying contract. Our customer contracts generally contain provisions that (i) require us to pay the customer liquidated damages if we fail to deliver modules by scheduled dates or if we fail to deliver modules that meet certain U.S. domestic content requirements and (ii) entitle us to a termination payment if the customer defaults on its contractual obligations and we terminate the contract. For sales of modules imported into the United States, our customer contracts generally include provisions that are intended to mitigate the adverse impact from changes in trade policy, such as tariffs. If a contract is terminated on the basis of these provisions, which termination is typically at our discretion, such contract would effectively be canceled without liability to either party, resulting in (i) a corresponding reduction in future sales of solar modules related to such contract and (ii) the return of any customer deposit under the contract, if applicable.

The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities, which we classify as “Deferred revenue,” for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (in thousands):
 March 31,
2025		December 31,
2024		Three Month Change
Deferred revenue$1,901,308 $2,039,825 $(138,517)(7)%
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, our contract liabilities decreased by $138.5 million primarily due to (i) the recognition of revenue for sales of solar modules for which payment was received in prior years, (ii) the reversal of a $63 million advance payment previously accrued due to our deferral of a customer’s invoice due date, and (iii) the restructuring of payment terms with a customer that resulted in the return of $50 million of previously received advance payments in exchange for a letter or credit, partially offset by (iv) advance payments received or accrued in the current period for future sales of solar modules. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we recognized revenue of $132.8 million and $126.3 million, respectively, that was included in the corresponding contract liability balance at the beginning of the periods.

As of March 31, 2025, we had entered into contracts with customers for the future sale of 66.1 GW of solar modules for an aggregate transaction price of $19.8 billion, which we expect to recognize as revenue through 2030 as we transfer control of the modules to the customers. This volume and transaction price exclude contracts with customers in India for which payment has not been fully secured. This transaction price also excludes estimates of variable consideration associated with (i) future module technology improvements, including enhancements to certain energy related attributes, (ii) sales freight in excess of defined thresholds, (iii) changes to certain commodity prices, (iv) the module wattage committed for delivery, (v) the volume of modules sold that meet certain U.S. domestic content requirements, and (vi) changes to certain tariff structures within a defined threshold, among other things. As a result, the revenue recognized from such contracts may increase or decrease in future periods relative to the original transaction price or may otherwise be impacted if a contract is canceled. These contracts may also be subject to amendments as agreed to by the parties to the contract. These amendments may increase or decrease the volume of modules to be sold under the contract, change delivery schedules, or otherwise adjust the expected revenue under these contracts.