News Summary
Residents in Fort Mill are voicing strong opposition to Silfab Solar’s proposed solar panel manufacturing plant due to safety concerns and health risks, particularly for nearby schools. A citizens group, Move Silfab, has emerged, erecting billboards and holding demonstrations to voice their fears about potential chemical hazards associated with the facility. Despite a recent zoning board ruling against the plant, Silfab is appealing the decision. The ongoing legal battle and community protests highlight the divided sentiment surrounding the project amid rising tensions and calls for action from local officials.
Fort Mill – Opposition is mounting against Silfab Solar’s proposed solar panel manufacturing plant in Fort Mill, with local residents voicing safety concerns amidst ongoing legal battles. A citizens group named Move Silfab has formed to advocate against the construction of the facility, and they’ve taken their message public by erecting billboards along the U.S. 21 Bypass since April 2025.
In addition to the billboards, demonstrators have set up a wooden shed displaying protest slogans near the proposed site of the plant, symbolizing the community’s resistance against the project. Prior to recent developments, residents believed they had secured a zoning appeal success that would block the plant due to worries over potential health risks, particularly concerning nearby schools still under construction.
On May 9, 2024, the York County Board of Zoning Appeals ruled that the area, which is zoned for light industrial use, was inappropriate for the type of manufacturing that Silfab intends to undertake. However, Silfab has since appealed this decision in court. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and as a result, the future of the project remains uncertain.
As part of their efforts to halt the plant’s construction, residents have shown significant involvement in public meetings and organized demonstrations over the past year. Despite the zoning board’s decision, local officials have stated that the ruling does not apply to Silfab, allowing the company to move forward with its plans for the facility.
Concerns over safety are primarily focused on the types of chemicals that would be used in the manufacturing process, including silane, anhydrous ammonia, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. Residents fear that these substances could pose serious health risks to children attending the nearby Flint Hill Elementary and Middle School. A recent risk assessment study indicated potential explosion zones and the risk of toxic gas release that could affect nearby homes, further exacerbating the community’s fears.
In response to these concerns, two York County Council members are actively seeking to revoke Silfab’s operational permits based on the findings of the risk assessment. In contrast, Silfab representatives argue that their operations are safe and dismiss the risk assessment’s conclusions as incorrect, stating it does not reflect their commitment to safety measures.
The tensions surrounding this issue have extended beyond local protests. State-level legislative discussions are reportedly happening to ensure that local zoning board decisions are respected by counties regarding facility operations such as Silfab’s. In light of the potential health risks, parents have appealed to the Fort Mill School Board to postpone the opening of Flint Hill Elementary and Middle School until Silfab is relocated.
Despite rising pressure, Move Silfab’s billboards, which labeled Silfab’s facility a “toxic chemical site,” have been removed following legal pressure from Silfab’s attorneys. However, some residents continue to exhibit their discontent through personal protest signs placed strategically near the industrial park.
The situation is compounded by recent weather forecasts predicting significant rainfall, which may affect the local infrastructure and potentially hinder ongoing opposition activities. With the community divided and tensions high, the fate of Silfab’s solar panel manufacturing plant in Fort Mill hangs in the balance, with more developments expected as legal and legislative proceedings continue.
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Additional Resources
- WSOC TV: Rock Hill & Fort Mill Schools and Tropical Storm Debby
- Charlotte Observer: Tropical Storm Debby Updates
- Greenville Online: Tropical Storm Debby Rainfall Totals
- Herald Online: Tropical Storm Debby Impact Analysis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropical Storm Debby
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
