A large solar farm on the Canterbury Plains has been given the green light.

State-owned power company Genesis Energy says the solar power plant would generate enough  power for 10,000 homes, once it was completed next year.

Located one hour’s drive south of Christchurch near Lauriston on the Canterbury Plains, the 90-hectare site will hold approximately 80,000 solar panels.

Genesis says they already have resource consent for the solar farm, which will be completed next year.

About 50 jobs would be created building the plant, but it would only require three full-time staff once operational, the company said.