Silfab Solar awaits 72-hour notice to resume chemical commissioning

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Silfab Solar plans to restart chemical commissioning at its facility in Fort Mill, York County, though the company has not yet issued the required notice to begin operations.

State regulations require Solar to provide a 72-hour notice before starting the chemical commissioning process, but no such notice has been submitted as of Monday.

Chemical commissioning at the site has been paused since March following two chemical leaks at the plant, which is located near Flint Hill Elementary School. olar stated that the community was not in danger during the March incidents.

In a letter to state leaders, Solar indicated it planned to restart commissioning activities involving gases and chemicals no earlier than Oct. 19.

The planned restart has drawn opposition from nearby residents concerned about safety.

Andy Lytle, a Fort Mill neighbor, called on local government officials to intervene before commissioning resumes.

“We think that the county should say it’s not allowed,” Lytle said. He urged officials to keep operations halted while legal proceedings are completed. “We think it should be paused until after the judge makes a final ruling,” Lytle added.

Solar first began setting up in Fort Mill in 2022 and has been involved in ongoing legal battles over local land use regulations since its arrival.

On Friday, both Solar and York County asked a judge for a declaratory judgment to resolve the regulatory status of the plant.

In a court filing regarding the legal action, Solar stated it “is hopeful that this action will bring finality to the uncertainty caused by a small but vocal minority.”

Regarding the timeline for starting chemical operations, the company confirmed that advance notification is mandatory.

“Silfab is required to give the state and others a 72-hour notice as to when that commissioning process begins,” the company said in a statement. “That notice has not yet been given.”

According to a letter sent by Solar to state leaders, the company predicted it could be ready for production by November, pending the start of commissioning.

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