Silfab Solar

A tour determined that Silfab Solar did not use hazardous chemicals, although York County permit lawsuits remain pending. Following a chemical leak in March, students were evacuated, though the company insists that no danger existed.

The Attorney General for South Carolina retained an outside consultant to review zoning issues related to Silfab Solar in Fort Mill, York County. This move follows multiple conflicting legal rulings regarding the facility's operations, which had previously paused production due to disputes over its permitted industrial use. The legal controversy involves determining if solar manufacturing is allowed within a light industrial zone.

Silfab Solar is facing controversy over potentially misrepresenting its credentials to the public and local leaders. The company has also been criticized for suffering two chemical leaks in March. Additionally, a judge ruled that Silfab's manufacturing operations are not allowed under the facility's current zoning.

Fort Mill students began the school year at Flint Hill Middle School as parents expressed safety concerns over the nearby Silfab Solar plant, which has faced two chemical leaks and a zoning lawsuit. A South Carolina judge upheld a zoning decision blocking the facility's operation in a light industrial zone, while the plant temporarily halted production. Parents and community members continue to push for the facility's relocation amid lingering uncertainty.

Students at Flint Hill Elementary School and Flint Hill Middle School in Fort Mill, S.C., returned to classes on Monday as Silfab Solar prepares to halt production. The solar panel manufacturer will start winding down operations beginning Wednesday.

Silfab Solar's Fort Mill facility will temporarily halt production from August 5 to 11 due to material shortages, coinciding with the return of students to nearby schools. The company claims the pause is unrelated to ongoing zoning disputes and recent legal challenges, despite community concerns over past chemical leaks and proximity to schools.

Silfab Solar will temporarily halt production at its Fort Mill facility from August 5 to August 11. The pause is attributed to material constraints and planned maintenance.

York County Council is delaying action on Silfab Solar's zoning issue until a judge's reconsideration hearing on August 26. Manufacturing at the Rock Hill solar panel plant is halted until then, following a non-final court order. Council chairwoman Christi Cox announced the pause after consulting with the county attorney.

York County Council is reviewing legal options following a July 20 court ruling that determined Silfab Solar's light-industrial zoning does not permit solar panel manufacturing. The dispute centers on whether the company's property is appropriately zoned for its operations.

Fort Mill parents are urging the relocation of Silfab Solar's plant near Flint Hill Elementary and Middle School due to safety concerns following chemical leaks. A recent court ruling upheld zoning restrictions against the plant's operations, but parents remain anxious as the new school year begins.

A South Carolina judge upheld a 2024 zoning ruling that Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill plant is not permitted to operate under light-industrial zoning for solar panel manufacturing. The decision aligns with a prior York County Board of Zoning Appeals ruling, which excluded solar manufacturing from light-industrial districts, despite Silfab Solar’s claims that the ruling does not affect its ongoing operations.

Fort Mill parents are concerned about sending their children to a school near the Silfab Solar plant. A local parent, Bethany Sweatt, mentioned considering homeschooling due to these worries.

A South Carolina judge upheld York County's zoning decision, ruling that solar panel manufacturing by Silfab Solar is not permitted under the property’s light industrial zoning. Parents and community groups, including Move Silfab, expressed hope that the ruling could lead to ending manufacturing operations near schools, following concerns over chemical incidents at the facility.

Silfab Solar, a Fort Mill manufacturing facility, remains operational despite a South Carolina judge ruling against it in a zoning case. The company faces multiple lawsuits, including one from Lear's Welding in Rock Hill over alleged unpaid work.

A judge affirmed York County's zoning board decision that prohibits solar panel manufacturing in a light industrial district, but Silfab Solar claims the ruling does not affect its ongoing operations. Parents and local officials expressed concerns about chemical storage near Flint Hill Middle School, while Silfab plans to appeal to preserve future expansion opportunities.

A South Carolina Circuit Court affirmed the York County Board of Zoning Appeals' decision that Silfab Solar's manufacturing plant does not comply with the county's Light Industrial zoning district. The court upheld the 5-0 unanimous ruling from the zoning board.

Jason Rhoades, a former quality control technician at Silfab Solar, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit after reporting unsafe plant conditions to the fire marshal. Silfab Solar now alleges Rhoades breached his duty of loyalty, claiming he lied about past employment and communicated with media and a neighborhood group against company policy. The legal dispute follows prior issues at Silfab, including chemical leaks that halted operations.

Superior Electrical Services (SES) filed a lawsuit against Silfab Solar on June 29, claiming nearly $600,000 in unpaid work. The lawsuit seeks compensation for services rendered by SES to Silfab Solar.