Silfab Solar pauses operations at module & cell factory after chemical spills

The incidents were chemical spills that reportedly involved roughly 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide and an unspecified amount of hydrofluoric acid. Both chemicals are key to the production of solar cells, particularly in texturing processes.

According to local media, authorities have said the spills do not pose a risk to public safety, though a nearby primary school has been closed. The potassium hydroxide spill earlier this week reportedly leaked into and around the company’s on-site retention pool, while the hydrofluoric acid spill yesterday was contained before it could spread.

Silfab will reportedly not be able to resume manufacturing operations immediately, following pressure from North Carolina State Senator Michael Johnson who wrote to the SCDEP calling for the company to suspend operations until a state investigation is complete.

“At our urging, the Department of Environmental Services has agreed that if Silfab resumes operations of any kind, DES will take immediate legal action and file a lawsuit seeking a restraining order to stop any work from occurring on site,” read a joint statement between Johnson and State Representative David Martin.

Silfab director of operations, Greg Basden, addressed the press on this matter – read PV Tech’s coverage of that here.

Silfab has been expanding its South Carolina operations to begin producing solar cells as well as modules at the Fort Mill site. The company is one of relatively few US firms to successfully pursue solar cell production to date, and has secured both private and tax credit funding to support the operations.

The company’s operations have been met with local opposition since their inception, largely stemming from the factory’s proximity to the local school and concerns that the manufacturing activities could have adverse effects on students and families. The opposition delayed the start of operations at the site, which had initially been planned for late 2024.

After five editions of Large Scale Solar USA, the event becomes SolarPLUS USA to mirror where the market is heading. The 2026 edition, held in Dallas, Texas, on 24-25 March, will bring together developers, investors and utilities to discuss managing hybrid assets, multi-state pipelines, power demand increase from data centres and AI as well as the co-location of solar PV with energy storage in a complex grid. For more details and how to attend the event, visit the website here.