York County’s letter reveals what inspectors found inside Silfab plant before order
York County cited Silfab Solar for building violations and unsafe working conditions during a June inspection by York County Planning and Development Services, according to records obtained by The Herald.
A June 24 letter from York County Planning and Development Services cited Silfab for an array of violations that needed to be resolved, with a warnings about a $2,000 civil fine per day starting seven days after the letter’s receipt. The Herald obtained the letter through a public records request.
During an inspection of Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill site before the order, employees were found working in a building with several obstructed exits points, non-operable exit lighting, liquid fuel equipment such as generators in operation, large fuel tanks stored closely to the exterior of the building and no operable fire alarms, the letter stated.
The letter was first reported by The Charlotte Observer’s news partner WSOC-TV.
The letter said Silfab needed to complete the following to be approved for continued operations:
- No employees, outside of contractors listed on issued permits, shall occupy the building until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the respective building.
- Remove all generators from inside the building and properly distance them away from the exterior of the building (minimum of 5 feet).
- Relocate fuel tanks away from the path of egress and a safe distance of from the building (20 feet).
- All exit lighting shall be operable.
- All means of egress shall remain free and clear and/or shall be installed, including but not limited to the interior of the building, between the clean room and module line 8.
- Combustible waste materials relocated away from the building (rear of the building).
- Remove air compressor from the building and properly distance from the exterior (minimum 5 feet).
- Properly store flammable liquids that were located in warehouse in fire rated cabinets or outside of the building in approved storage.
Silfab said in a statement to the Rock Hill Herald that resolutions to the county’s concerns were implemented quickly.
“We have continued to engage with county officials and work closely to ensure alignment at every step as part of a collaborative process. With issues addressed in York County’s order resolved, we are moving forward confidently and focused on becoming fully operational as we bring solar cell manufacturing to York County and the United States,” Silfab told The Herald in a statement.
What is Silfab Solar?
Founded in 2010, Silfab Solar is the North American manufacturing leader in the development of solar panels, according to its website. Silfab’s location include Fort Mill as well as operation sites in Burlington, Washington, and Toronto, Canada.
Large crowds of community members have gathered to protest against Silfab Solar’s operations nearly from the start. Many are upset over health and safety concerns from the proximity of Silfab Solar to two schools that are scheduled to open this academic year. Flint Hill Elementary is set to open in the fall and Flint Hill Middle School in 2026.
According to previous reporting by The Rock Hill Herald, an anti-Silfab group filed a legal complaint in September against the property owner, Silfab and the York County Planning Department to stop development. The class action suit was reviewed by a judge in March, however put on hold until Silfab’s previous zoning appeal cased was approved.
The next court date for Silfab’s appeal decision is Aug. 4.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 7:32 AM.
CORRECTION: Flint Hill Elementary School and Flint Hill Middle School will open in close proximity to the Silfab Solar manufacturing plant. A previous version of this story used an incorrect name.
