Frequently Asked Questions 

In Fort Mill, they plan to manufacture solar CELLS and MODULES. CELL Manufacturing is a toxic chemical process and Heavy Industry. Silfab has never manufactured solar cells before. MODULE Manufacturing is less toxic, but still releases significant amounts of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), which include some toxic emissions. Silfab currently manufactures MODULES in their two still operating factories (Burlington WA and Toronto). They are planning on manufacturing a relatively new type of solar cell called ‘Topcon cells’. Manufacturing Topcon cells requires more chemicals, power, and risk when compared to manufacturing the more common ‘Perc cells’. There are currently no Topcon solar cell manufacturers in the USA. Both CELL and MODULE Manufacturing are proposed here, and neither are allowed in Light Industrial according to York County zoning code as confirmed by the BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals).

The BZA heard an appeal related to an inquiry made by adjacent neighbor Wally Buchannan as to Silfab’s proposed use on the property. Wally had effectively asked if Solar Panel Manufacturing is an allowed use in Light Industrial? The YC zoning department (county employees) answered this was an allowable use in Light Industrial by justifying Solar Manufacturing can fit in either the Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing (supplied to Silfab) or the Computer and Electronic Products Manufacturing use (supplied to Wally). “The YC Zoning code in Sub Chapter C: Use Regulations, 155.270 (G) states Unlisted Uses Prohibited. Any use not listed for an applicable zoning district in the Use Table is prohibited.” The BZA concluded: “The Zoning Administrator erred in determining that Solar Panel Manufacturing is a Use under Computer and Electronic Products Manufacturing permitted in Light Industrial; and, that Solar Panel Manufacturing is not listed as a Use applicable for the Light Industrial Zoning District and is therefore prohibited pursuant to 155.270 (G), York County Code of Ordinances.

1.25 million gallons of water to be used daily. This is more water than the entire town of Tega Cay’s daily usage. Silfab has been required to build a waste-water treatment plant on-site, and the treated “gray water” will return to Rock Hill’s sewer system to be treated and cleaned before cycling back into the Catawba river. The sludge generated by the on site waste-water treatment plant would be hauled away by certified hazardous material truckers, and dumped in a regulated landfill.

There are 3 court cases, 2 brought by CAGI (case # 2024CP4602641 and case # 2024CP4603532), and 1 brought by Silfab. CAGI is trying to move them via non-compliant zoning and also by appealing the air permit. Silfab is appealing the May 9th, 2024 BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals) decision which ruled that solar panel manufacturing is not allowed in a Light Industrial zone. Soon after the BZA ruling, York County management released an unsigned statement which claimed that the BZA ruling did not apply to Silfab. The latest court update can be read here: https://www.movesilfab.com/post/legal-action-update. More updates will be added as they become available. Check back soon.

York County Planning and Development approved their request, even though the school district had purchased the adjacent property years earlier and had already submitted a zoning request for the schools. The EPA recommends that Heavy Industry be sited at least 1 mile away from schools. Unfortunately, this is not law.

The safety concerns are well justified. While it is true that many manufacturing facilities operate with hazardous materials, they are located in appropriately zoned areas, which are not classified as light industrial. That being said, unfortunately there have been too many tragic events resulting from accidents in such facilities. While surely every manufacturer aims to operate their facility safely and in compliance with all regulations. as reality shows, due to human error, equipment malfunctions, or even a slight act of negligence, tragic accidents DO occur, leading to environmental catastrophes and loss of life. An accident at Silfab’s facility located so close to schools and homes would be a catastrophe for our town. According to the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters, "Hazardous chemical incidents, including fires, explosions and toxic releases, occur every other day on average in the United States.” Studies have shown that people who live next to heavy industry have higher rates of illness. The chemicals Silfab plans on using have been linked to cancer, brain and organ damage, infertility, and respiratory illnesses. The Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit issued a special statement for Fort Mill cautioning against hazards of such manufacturing plants located near our Flint Hill schools. Read the full letter on our website.

Silfab's proposed location in a light industrial zone is not lawful. On May 9th 2024, York County's Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously ruled that solar cell manufacturing does not fall under "light industrial" use, challenging the plant's compliance with local zoning laws. Silfab Solar has appealed this decision, and the matter is currently pending in state circuit court. We demand that York County officials enforce the BZA decision and deny Silfab in operating in the light industrial zone.

The taller the stack height, the more unsightly, but the pollution gets spread farther and diluted more. “The solution to pollution is dilution.” The shorter the stack height, may be less noticeable, but the pollution can’t spread as far and is more concentrated locally around the plant. Due to county ordinances, the acid scrubber stack height has changed from 70 feet to 50 feet, which is the height of the building. DHEC claims this is a minor change, and that a new public hearing is not required. The CAGI appeal argues that lowering a stack should be a major change requiring a new public hearing.

Silfab Solar Inc., is a Canadian based solar panel manufacturing company. They currently have 2 operating factories in Burlington, Washington, and Toronto, Canada, and recently closed a factory in Bellingham, WA. Their proposed Fort Mill factory would be the first time the company has ever attempted to manufacture solar cells.

Construction continues at 7149 Logistics Lane, Fort Mill, SC, 29715. This site is in northern Fort Mill, near I-77, off Carowinds Blvd behind the DMV, and about halfway between the Anne Springs Close Greenway and the Carowinds Amusement Park.

No, Silfab’s factory is still under construction, and they still need numerous permits, a Certificate of Occupancy, and many other approvals before they can begin trucking in the chemicals. There are still numerous avenues that we are pursuing to uphold the law and see them moved to a correctly zoned location. There are many things you can do to help!! Take Action! If you have additional ideas or want to get involved further, please scroll down and Contact Us.

There are a number of solar panel manufacturers (MODULE factories) in the USA (Solar Manufacturing Map | Department of Energy), but Silfab is proposing solar CELL manufacturing which is very different, as stated above. There was another solar cell factory located near Atlanta, but in the first 5 years of being open, it had a chemical fire. Emergency responders did not put it out and had to let it burn through all the chemicals, dispersing them into the air.

Yes. Two large tanks containing about 13,000 pounds each (26,456 pounds total) of highly explosive (pyrophoric) Silane will be parked within an above ground “bunker” (3 non-connected concrete panel sides and a canopy roof). Adjacent and along the same (North) side of the building will be many more chemicals that could explode in a fire (see FAQ above titled "What is the controversy around Silfab Solar's proposed manufacturing plant in Fort Mill, SC?" for a more complete list of chemicals or The Chemicals page).

The controversy stems from environmental, safety, and zoning concerns. Silfab’s operations will involve massive quantities of hazardous chemicals, including: 5,280 gallons of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) 15,850 gallons of Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) 26,456 gallons of Silane (SiH₄) – an extremely flammable gas 44,000 pounds of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH₃) 96,200 pounds of Calcium Chloride (CaCl) 96,200 pounds of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) 150,000 pounds of wastewater sludge 13,000 gallons of pure Oxygen (O₂), stored near highly explosive Silane, Anhydrous Ammonia, and Nitrous Oxide Trimethylaluminum (TMA) – a pyrophoric substance that ignites on contact with air These chemicals are hazardous on their own, but in these quantities and in close proximity to one another, even a minor leak could trigger explosions, massive fires, and toxic gas releases. Silfab's proposed manufacturing plant is just 600 feet from the school's playground/athletic field and 1,300 feet from the school building putting children, teachers and residents at risk. Additionally, it is not unreasonable to think that home buyers would avoid homes zoned for Flint Hill, and this could negatively impact property values.

Silfab's original Air Permit Application shows that none of the VOCs go through the scrubbers. The total released in the 1,500 meter area is about 100 tons per year. There are 2 solar cell production lines, and each has a scrubber and a stack. This is where the toxic air pollutants (TAPs) come from, about 10 tons per year. Now the two stacks have been lowered to 50 feet, because of county ordinance. The updated Air Permit Application was not shared with the public, so the numbers have changed. It appears they are diluting the emissions in the stacks. We will update this information once we confirm the revised numbers. The TAPs can be about 1,000 times more harmful than the VOCs based on the way they are measured. Both scrubbers would be connected to the same stack, which would also release the VOCs.

That’s a really great question! While there is much yet to be discovered, we have assembled a Timeline to help make sense of this. York County Planning and Development do NOT appear to be following current laws and rules.

To check to see which school your address has been districted for, click here: https://www.croppermap.com/fort_mill/ . The current school year is displayed, and you will need to select the 25-26 school year to view changes. The Fort Mill School Board voted 6-1 to redistrict, November 5th, 2024, despite significant protests from concerned parents who did not want to send any children to the Flint Hill Elementary or Middle schools until Silfab was moved. The only school board member to vote no, Joe Helms, has three young children who have been redistricted to Flint Hill Elementary school. The other Board members do not have children who were redistricted to Flint Hill.

The convenience of proximity to the interstate and utilities such as large underground gas pipeline, adjacent water tower, and significant power line. Also, the Urban coefficients for pollution work in their favor, compared to Rural coefficients for pollution. [link the EPA doc which explains this, “SC DHEC Response to Comments on Air Quality” on page #7 out of 23]. The Rockefeller Group initially built the building as a light industrial distribution center, then signed a long-term lease with Silfab with plans to convert the building into a heavy industrial factory, The Rockefeller Group then sold the building to Exeter (Silfab’s current landlord) for $106 million.

York County Planning and Development approved them (December 2022). This was in error according to the BZA ruling (May 2024). York County Council voted 4-3 to approve the fee in lieu tax break (September 2023). The 4 Council members who voted for it were Christi Cox, Tommy Adkins, William “Bump” Roddey, and A. Watts Huckabee. The 3 Council members who voted against it were Tom Audette, Debi Cloninger, and Allison Love. US Congressman Ralph Norman is Co-Chair of the Solar Panel Caucus in congress, he has received campaign contributions from a Political Action Committee partially funded by Silfab, and he has publicly stated that he asked (applied pressure intentional or not) all 7 members of the York County Council to pass Silfab’s ‘fee in lieu’ (View Ralph Norman’s Community Fact Forum here: Silfab Forum Recap | U.S. Representative Ralph Norman).