Protesters want York County to revoke Silfab Solar’s certificate after chemical incidents, questioning zoning compliance for the controversial plant’s operations.
YORK, S.C. โ Protesters gathered outside York County Council chambers Tuesday evening as county leaders began a closed-session meeting to discuss what comes next for the controversial Silfab Solar plant.
The debate intensified after two recent chemical incidents temporarily shut down operations at the facility.
Residents attending the protest said they want county leaders to revoke Silfabโs certificate of occupancy, arguing the company is operating with hazardous chemicals in an area zoned for light industrial use.
โI am fighting to protect the greenways, protect the trails and protect our airways,โ Scott Jensen, a Fort Mill resident and community member involved in the opposition, said.ย
The debate over Silfab Solar has been ongoing for nearly three years.
In 2023, York County Council approved tax incentives for the company, which planned to manufacture solar panels in the county. Soon after, nearby residents began raising concerns about chemicals used in the production process and whether the facilityโs operations aligned with the zoning designation.
RELATED: Parents unswayed by Fort Mill schools’ air quality assurances near Silfab solar plant
By 2024, some residents told WCNC Charlotte they believed the plant was operating beyond what the zoning allowed, saying the facility was bringing in large quantities of potentially hazardous chemicals for manufacturing.
When the company later applied for a permit to continue its operations, the request was initially denied but approved days later.
At the time, community members said they believed the decision happened with little public awareness and warned the plant could pose a risk to surrounding neighborhoods.
WCNC Charlotte toured the Silfab facility in June 2024. During that visit, company leaders acknowledged they use chemicals in the manufacturing process but said operations would be conducted safely.
RELATED: Silfab Solar COO addresses health, safety concerns about controversial manufacturing plant in exclusive interview
Now, after the recent chemical incidents, opponents are again demanding answers.
โWe have FOIAโed asked for the zoning of compliance letter they donโt have one or they donโt have one or they are hiding it, weโre asking show us the zoning compliance, if itโs up to par show itโs legal then show the citizens the zoning compliance, if they are not void the permits, void the CEO,โ Jensen said.
WCNC Charlotte has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the zoning compliance documentation.ย
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