Fort Mill family moves to avoid Silfab Solar risks

FORT MILL, S.C. — This week, the Fort Mill community is once again pleading with York County officials regarding Silfab Solar, with new concerns being raised about chemicals that will be used by the plant, which is just a few hundred feet from a new school. 

These concerns resonated with at least one county leader during a meeting Tuesday night. 

As work continues on Flint Hill Elementary, a new school in the Fort Mill district, a few hundred feet away stands what some are calling a dangerous plant. The facility is called Silfab Solar, a Canadian solar manufacturing plant, and it’s gearing up to start production. 

The community is wary about the manufacturing of solar panels, which they say will use dangerous chemicals. These concerns were brought up at Tuesday night’s York County Commissioner meeting — concerns that stuck with Vice Chair Tom Audette. 

“We had three families this week say they put their house on the market or have already sold their house because they had to move their kids away from Silfab,” Audette said. 

For Marissa Robbins, the concerns are deeply personal. In November, when Robbins found out her children were zoned to Flint Hill Elementary, she and her family made an immediate decision.

“Alright, we have to find a home, and it has to be far enough away from Silfab that it won’t be rezoned there,” Robbins said.

Her reasoning is shared by many others.

“The unknown risk — if there is a combustion with these chemicals, like silane — it can combust if it hits air,” Robbins said. “It’s not just that, it’s the other chemicals too.”

In June 2024, WCNC Charlotte was invited inside Silfab Solar for an exclusive interview with COO Treff MacDonald. MacDonald acknowledged the use of these chemicals but argued the plant and chemicals are safe.

Robbins has since moved her family to the south side of Fort Mill and said it was a tough decision.

“The interest rates, the cost of living — it was a huge emotional and financial decision,” Robbins said.

Like many others, Robbins was encouraged by words from Audette, which gave her hope.

“Do we have an opportunity to have a discussion around some type of cease and desist,” Audette said.

She says she hopes others won’t have to take the same steps her family did.

“It felt like this wasn’t our timing, it was pushed on us,” Audette said. 

Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.