Native information retailers are reporting that the zoning board for York County, South Carolina, has reversed its resolution to permit Silfab Photo voltaic to determine photo voltaic cell and panel manufacturing operations in Fort Mill. Silfab had already chosen an present warehouse off Logistics Lane to outfit with cell and panel meeting manufacturing gear and was accepted to work within the “gentle industrial” zone. The York County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to alter photo voltaic manufacturing to solely operational in “heavy industrial” zones.
Silfab Photo voltaic, a Canadian-headquartered silicon photo voltaic panel producer that operates a manufacturing facility in Burlington, Washington, started in search of a second U.S. manufacturing location over a yr in the past, with plans to additionally begin photo voltaic cell manufacturing. Silfab anticipated to start photo voltaic cell and panel manufacturing in Fort Mill this yr, however group pushback has been robust.
Neighborhood members have been involved that Silfab would use “dangerous chemical substances” to supply photo voltaic panels that might put close by faculties in danger.
In its plans for the 1-GW manufacturing facility, Silfab mentioned it might deliver 800 new jobs to the realm whereas offering $17 million in property taxes to Fort Mill Faculties. The corporate had additionally began taking steps towards establishing a home provide chain, together with coming into a glass provide settlement with close by SolarCycle in Georgia and signing a memorandum of understanding to buy silicon wafers from NorSun’s eventual American manufacturing facility.
Silfab has not but acknowledged its subsequent steps.
