Solar energy company Lodestone is expanding to the South Island. 

It's constructing a solar farm in Canterbury's Clandeboye, with first generation expected next year. 

It will generate 43 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, similar to the company's sites in the Upper North Island. 

Managing Director Gary Holden told Mike Hosking there are six more consented sites in their portfolio. 

He says they're trying to build a solar farm in every area they can, to follow the populations.  

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