York County says Silfab’s solar project has the green light, despite zoning appeal

FORT MILL, S.C. — Channel 9 has reported on the back-and-forth battle over a solar panel manufacturer setting up shop in York County, but it turns out that a recent appeal in favor of neighbors doesn’t actually affect the solar panel company.

Silfab Solar is building a manufacturing site in Fort Mill, and it’s expected to start producing solar panels by the end of the year.

The site is in an area that’s zoned “Light Industrial,” and Silfab had reached out to York County officials in 2022 to ask about the zoning. Planning staff confirmed that solar panel manufacturing was allowed in the Light Industrial zoning district and issued an official letter stating as much on Dec. 27, 2022.

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Silfab got permits from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, leased the site, and submitted planning items to the county throughout 2023.

According to York County, neighbors who live in the area started emailing the planning staff about zoning issues in Jan. 2024 and asked for clarification on whether solar panel manufacturing was allowed.

The neighbors expressed concerns because the facility is within walking distance of two Fort Mill public schools. They said they’re worried about the health impact of the plant, while the company says there are no harmful effects on the local environment by its production.

The zoning administrator said in February that solar panel manufacturing was allowed based on staff’s analysis, but there was no specific mention of Silfab.

Channel 9 reported when a resident appealed the zoning administrator’s decision in March, and the Board of Zoning Appeals heard the issue on May 9. The BZA reversed the zoning administrator’s determination, and Silfab told Channel 9 it was planning to file an appeal.

A statement that was issued on June 25 says that decision doesn’t apply to Silfab.

“In many cases, zoning verification letters are issued months or years before a project begins. Those developments can’t be jeopardized by later requests for zoning interpretations from opponents of those projects,” the county said in its statement.

Silfab could still appeal the zoning board’s decision to pave the way for future projects in Light Industrial districts.

The county says Silfab has received the necessary permits from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to build the solar panel facility.

Scott Jensen says he lives within 2 miles of the plant and he’s upset with county officials.

“It absolutely applied to Silfab 100%. It’s a wrong statement,” Jensen said.

“I think they’re covering their tracks. I think they messed up and they’re trying to hide it,” Jensen added.

Silfab sent Channel 9 the following statement on Tuesday in response to the county’s update: “Silfab Solar is committed to expanding its North American manufacturing capacity and is deeply invested in providing domestic, advanced technology solar cells and panels. Silfab’s newest facility in South Carolina will continue our innovation in solar panel and cell assembly.

The safety and well-being of both our community and employees are paramount to Silfab Solar, and we are committed to being a respectful neighbor in South Carolina as we have been at our other North American locations. We can assure York County that we have taken and will continue to take all necessary steps to reduce risks and operate without fear of any impact to the environment.

Silfab Solar will continue to have regular dialogue with the county to review our operations and share our safety measures and OSHA standards. Today, York County documented the many approvals we received from local as well as state offices to open our facility in York County. Silfab Solar looks forward to opening our South Carolina facility in the coming months and providing domestic solar to residents and businesses across North America.”

Residents say their top concern is that the chemicals Silfab uses to make the solar panels are toxic to humans and animals. But county officials say many of the concerns are based on misinformation.

“Everything is taken directly from South Carolina DHEC, and from Silfab statements, and from York County statements, so there’s no misinformation,” Jensen said.

“Fort Mill is one of the most prosperous in the Charlotte region. We have a lot of resources, and this is only the beginning of the fight,” Jensen added.

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