Silfab Solar warns York County: Forcing us to move could have ‘chilling effect’

Silfab Solar has issued a not-too-subtle warning to York County: Any attempt to force the controversial company to move would trigger lawsuits and have a “chilling effect” on the county’s ability to recruit new business.

The Canadian solar panel manufacturer made that statement in a late Wednesday letter from Silfab President and CEO Paolo Maccario to York County Council. In March, a pair of chemical releases at Silfab led to temporary school closures at nearby Flint Hill Elementary School, and heightened community concerns.

His letter came ahead of a special called meeting Thursday in York where council met in executive session to discuss Silfab and a recent court order limiting where solar panel manufacturing can happen. After nearly five hours, council voted not to take action.

There’s been pressure on the county from local lawmakers to limit Silfab’s operations or move it from Fort Mill.

Silfab has been a hotly debated topic since York County approved a deal three years ago to bring the company to 7149 Logistics Lane in Fort Mill. Residents argued manufacturing using chemicals shouldn’t be allowed near homes and schools.

The county approved Silfab plans based on its $150 million investment and 800 projected jobs.

After the Silfab deal was approved, the York County Board of Zoning Appeals determined solar panel manufacturing shouldn’t be allowed on properties zoned for light industrial use, like the Silfab site.

The company and York County argued that rule apples to future projects, but not Silfab, since that deal was already in motion.

Silfab has since become an economic engine in York County, according to the letter from the company. More than 700 of the company’s 1,200 jobs are in Fort Mill.

The recent court ruling involved a zoning decision and wasn’t related to safety or regulatory compliance, the letter said. Silfab hasn’t caused off-site injuries and the company hasn’t been citied for workplace injuries, the letter said.

“As we follow through on our commitments, we respectfully ask our partners to follow through on the commitments they made to us, as well,” Maccario said in his letter. “This includes fostering an environment in which our employees can safely and confidently come to work each day knowing that decisions affecting their workplace will be guided by facts, law and a commitment to the well-being of York County residents.”

Silfab it is doing everything it can to operate safely in Fort Mill, Maccairo said, and there’s no basis for making the company move.

The letter references challenges as Silfab has begun work in Fort Mill.

“While there have been challenges as we have ramped up operations, there is no legal or public safety basis for any action that would limit our ability to operate,” Maccario said.

Doing so would cause harm to the company, customers, employees and their families, according to Maccario.

“It would also have negative implications for the York County community and state,” he said, “force unnecessary litigation regarding a taking of our property rights, jeopardize the significant investment the state and York County have made to recruit Silfab to come to South Carolina, have a chilling effect as other companies weigh business opportunities here and establish a concerning precedent that could allow zoning boards in other communities to reverse course and terminate business operations after businesses have been built and began operations.”

Council’s 5:30 p.m. meeting Thursday didn’t have a decision on the agenda to vote on, but listed “matters for consideration” after executive session that could include a decision on the company.

Fort Mill residents have been vocal at town, county and school board meetings the past three years asking that Silfab not be allowed to operate on Logistics Lane.

Many elected officials throughout the area joined that call following the March incidents, and echoed it after the recent court decision.

State Sen. Michael Johnson sent a letter to York County and the state environmental department on Friday asking for a cease-and-desist order to Silfab for all manufacturing operations based on the new court ruling. He posted Monday on his Facebook page that York County “needs to revoke permits immediately.”

The Fort Mill School District sent a letter to Gov. Henry McMaster and other state officials on Friday calling for “immediate and decisive” action to make Silfab comply with the recent court ruling.

State Rep. David Martin also sent the county and the state environmental department a letter on Monday that there’s now a clear court ruling showing solar panel manufacturing shouldn’t be allowed in light industrial areas. Fort Mill families deserve answers, transparency and enforcement of the law, he said in a Facebook post.

“The court has spoken,” Martin said. “Now it is time to act.”

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published July 30, 2026 at 9:41 AM with the headline “Silfab Solar warns York County: Forcing us to move could have ‘chilling effect’.”