This Solar Panel Factory Has Been Ordered To Suspend Operations!

FORT MYER, South Carolina — State environmental regulators have taken extraordinary measures to order the new Silfab Solar plant in York County to cease all operations.

On March 5, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) issued an order requiring the plant to “immediately cease all operations” following a series of chemical leaks that have alarmed the local community. The order, signed by DES Director Myra C. Reece, was issued urgently following reports of a hydrofluoric acid leak early Thursday morning; just two days earlier, on March 3, the plant had experienced another leak involving potassium hydroxide.

Incidents within a Week

Located at 7149 Logistics Lane, the plant has been the subject of intense scrutiny since its pre-operational phase due to its proximity to Flint Hill Elementary School. This week’s incidents have further heightened public concerns:

March 3, 2026: A leak of the highly corrosive chemical potassium hydroxide triggered a hazardous materials emergency response. The initial reported volume was 1,500 gallons, later revised to 300 gallons.

March 5, 2026: A leak of hydrofluoric acid, classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a “severe systemic toxin,” occurred. Although officials stated the leak was contained within the building, the school dismissed students early as a precaution due to the facility’s proximity to the school. It is understood that hydrofluoric acid is a critical chemical required for wafer cleaning and texturing processes.

Contents of the DES Order

The DES directive is unequivocal: Silfab must cease all “commissioning activities” and place all systems in a safe state. The order outlines five mandatory requirements for the company:

Cessation of Operations: All work must be suspended during the joint investigation by DES and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

System Safety Measures: All equipment must be placed in a safe and secure state.

Leak Detection Audit: The company must confirm that there are no other undisclosed leak points on the premises.

Expert Assessment: Silfab must engage qualified professional engineers to assess its chemical management system and submit the results to the state government.

Immediate Reporting: Any future leakage incidents must be reported to DES as soon as possible.

The directive emphasizes that Silfab must fulfill these obligations before resuming plant commissioning, noting that maintaining facility safety is the company’s “general responsibility” under state and federal law.

Strong Opposition from the Community and Regulators

Civil society organizations that have long opposed the plant’s location believe these incidents confirm their deepest concerns. Although the plant is situated in a light industrial zone, critics point out that its extensive use of toxic chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid and anhydrous ammonia makes it, in essence, a “heavy industrial” facility that should not be built near a school.

State Senator Michael Johnson and Attorney General Alan Wilson have both expressed concern, with Johnson calling on the York County Council to revoke the plant’s operating license entirely.

Silfab representative Treff MacDonald was ordered to sign a consent agreement by the afternoon of March 5. Failure to comply will result in further legal action by the Department of Environmental Services (DES).

The investigation into the plant’s risk management plan will continue under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the facility fully complies with safety standards before producing any solar cells.

It is understood that the plant is a key component of the Inflation Reduction Act’s efforts to expand domestic U.S. solar manufacturing. It is planned to have a production capacity of 1 GW for solar cells and modules, with an annual output of 2 million solar modules at full capacity. The project is expected to create 800 jobs and inject at least $150 million in investment into the local economy.