A Sustainable Future Made in South Carolina
Who We Are
Silfab Solar® is a North American leader in high-efficiency solar panel assembly with over 40 years of solar industry experience. We have facilities in Washington State and Canada, delivering top-performing panels designed specifically for the North American market and climate.
At Silfab Solar®, our purpose is to make a difference in the world by reducing carbon emissions and improving access to clean energy with every module we make.
What we bring to york county
With facilities already in Washington state and Canada, Silfab Solar® is excited to expand its North American production capacity in York County. Silfab Solar® is a leader in high-efficiency solar panel assembly, and we are eager to build a more sustainable future with solar panels made in South Carolina.
800 new skilled jobs
$17 million in property taxes to Fort Mill Schools
Approximately $4.7 million in property tax to York County
Estimated annual payroll, once fully staffed, of more than $48 million
Clean, safe processes with a low impact on traffic
Contributions to local philanthropic and community-building endeavors
A business that makes health and safety and sustainable practices a key priority
Bring the first fully automated and integrated solar panel and solar cell assembly to the United States.
SAFE. OPTIMIZED. LIGHT. ADVANCED. RENEWABLE.
What is Light Industrial according to York County?
It is the assembly, fabrication, or processing of goods and materials by means that ordinarily do not create noise, smoke, fumes, odors, glare, or health or safety hazards outside of the building or lot where the assembly, fabrication, or processing takes place, where the processing is housed entirely within a building. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL does not include hazardous material treatment and storage facilities, plating, enameling, or petroleum and gas refining.
Does Silfab Solar ® meet these criteria? YES.
Noise – all assembly processes take place indoors.
Smoke – there will be no smoke emitted. An exhaust vent will disperse only water vapor as a result of the near 100% efficiency of our wet scrubber.
Fumes – there will be no fumes emitted. An exhaust vent will transmit only water vapor as a result of the near 100% efficiency of our wet scrubber.
Odors – our facility will not emit any odors. An exhaust vent will transmit only water vapor as a result of the near 100% efficiency of our wet scrubber.
Glare – the Silfab facility will not give off any glare.
Health or safety hazards outside of the building – All gases and chemical processes are protected by redundant engineering and safety controls. Any gases or chemicals used are nearly 100% removed during Silfab’s assembly processes. Any residual elements are eliminated with our air and wastewater treatment systems. Silfab will meet or exceed the regulatory requirements of the EPA and DHEC.
All assembly processes are housed within a building.
Silfab is NOT a hazardous material treatment and storage facility. Another name for this is a Hazardous Waste Management Facility (TSDF) which stands for “treatment, storage, and disposal facility.” Per the EPA, a TSDF is a permanent facility that manages hazardous waste for profit. This includes receiving, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Silfab is NOT a TSDF facility.
Silfab assembly processes do not include plating. A plating process involves creating a thin layer of metal on a substance for appearance enhancement or to inhibit corrosion. A common method is called electroplating. This is NOT a part of the Silfab assembly process.
Silfab assembly processes do not include enameling. An enameling process involves fusing glass particles with heat to create a solid layer of color on various materials. Common projects produced with enameling include jewelry, cookware, bathtubs, etc. Enameling is NOT part of the Silfab process.
Silfab assembly processes do not include petroleum and gas refining.
In the News
WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker spoke to Treff MacDonald about concerns that Fort Mill residents have over the plant's potential health and environmental impacts.
FORT MILL, S.C. — On Thursday, WCNC Charlotte got an inside look at Silfab Solar®, a solar panel manufacturing plant in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Silfab Solar® has no intention of giving up on its $150 million Fort Mill manufacturing facility or the property that’s stirred widespread complaints within the community.
The Facts
Silfab Solar® welcomes the opportunity for the new school to be built near its facility. When the company moved into the light industrial zone, schools were not allowed to be built in these zones. There was a decision by York County Council to rezone our area to allow a school to be built. Our other facilities are next to bodies of water and in the middle of urban areas. Our safety protocols have kept environments and the people around our facility safe.
Silfab Solar® was approved to assemble solar cells and solar modules in December 2022 by York County.
York County’s Planning Commission rezoned LI to OI (March of 2023)
Along with being one of the leading companies in the solar industry, Silfab Solar® is committed to being a responsible neighbor and fellow citizen. The company has engaged in several community projects and provided power to those most in need with the donation of hundreds of solar panels annually.
Community Involvement
- Veteran Support: “Semper Cares” program: For the past 2 years, Silfab Solar® has donated solar panels to the Semper Cares foundation. This charity works to give back by installing solar panels for veterans in the United States.
- Educational Support: The ZeNETH Tiny House Project at WWU, was created to provide students with actionable education while addressing local issues through sustainable building and energy design. It is a student-led effort at Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies. Silfab Solar® donated solar panels for this initiative in 2019.
- Environmental Support: In Bellingham, WA, Silfab Solar® donated 325 solar panels for a high school that would be a sustainable environment that promotes global citizenship and environmental awareness. Along with other community donations, the panels were connected to the utility grid and this array can now produce nearly 100kW of power.
- ALS Community Support: Silfab Solar® supports Matt’s Place Foundation in Spokane, WA, a charitable organization that assists people living with ALS and their families. Silfab donated solar panels to help power a new ultimate ALS home for at-risk families battling ALS.
As Silfab Solar® seeks expansion in York County, SC, the company has already begun discussions with York Technical Community College and other local entities to prepare the next generation of advanced manufacturing workers. Over time, Silfab will continue to look for additional opportunities to give back and help build a more prosperous and sustainable community in York County.
Our Promise to York County
Bringing Solar Product Production Back Home
This facility will be the first United States company to reshore solar cell design and production from China. What was once a prominent U.S. industry and product is now dominated by China. By locating in York County, Silfab Solar will:
Bring solar production back to the U.S.
Decrease the dependency on foreign imports