January 13, 2021 Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry AUGUSTA, Maine - In response to growing interest in solar development in Maine, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) recently issued new technical guidance with additional online solar siting and energy efficiency resources to encourage solar development in ways that avoid or minimize impacts to agricultural and forested lands, as well as other ecologically sensitive natural lands. DACF s The Department fully supports the State s goals for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and pursuing renewable energy generation. We also encourage thoughtful siting of solar projects and believe that the guidance we are issuing today will be a beneficial resource to landowners and developers alike in that regard,