Silfab Solar and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) have entered into a Compliance Agreement outlining a series of conditions the company has agreed to meet.
The agreement comes following a pair of chemical incidents at the Fort Mill Facility, earlier this month.
As part of compliance requirements, Silfab will continue to delay the startup of manufacturing operations involving regulated substances, including hydrofluoric acid. The facility will also refrain from bringing any additional regulated substances onsite until all required conditions have been satisfied.
SCDES will maintain strict oversight of the facility to ensure compliance with all issued permits, as well as applicable federal and state laws and regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. Any updates can be found on the SCDES website.
The solar panel manufacturer has faced ongoing public scrutiny because of its proximity to Flint Hill Elementary School. The school was temporarily closed after a hydrofluoric acid leak at the plant on March 5. Two days prior, approximately 300 gallons of a potassium hydroxide solution—used in the making of soap and pretzels—spilled from a 1,500-gallon tank at the site.
In the aftermath, the Fort Mill School District drafted a resolution urging Gov. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina General Assembly, Attorney General Alan Wilson, York County Council and regulatory authorities to permanently limit Silfab's operations.
State regulators ordered Silfab to pause operations on March 5 ahead of federal and state assessments that began March 9. Following those reviews, the company was allowed to resume assembly operations, while manufacturing activities remain on hold.
Silfab says it is committed to the safety of its staff and the community and has promised continued transparency. Public notices regarding operations at the site and other pertinent information can be found on the company's website.