Clandeboye

Canterbury, South Island

Located in South Canterbury, Clandeboye will be Lodestone Energy’s first utility-scale solar farm in the South Island.

The 27.7MW peak solar farm is ideally placed to support regional electricity demand for milk processing and irrigation, while helping to preserve valuable hydro resources.

The 42-hectare flat site, formerly used for dairy farming, will have ~45,000 single portrait (1P) bifacial solar panels and 6 inverters. When fully operational, the farm will generate enough energy to power ~6000 homes.

The low-profile plant will sit behind a boundary of native plantings, integrating the farm into the surrounding landscape. Once complete, the solar farm will be visually discreet, make very little noise, and require minimal water.

Construction is set to begin in June 2025, with first generation targeted for Q3 2026. Lodestone is partnering with the land owner who will run sheep on the site as part of a dual land use agrivoltaic model.

Lodestone is engaging with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua for cultural guidance on the project and advice on the native planting plans.