First Solar Muscles Investor Out of Event

TEMPE, Ariz. (TheStreet) -- The solar-energy sector is known for volatility when it comes to trading. But First Solar's(FSLR) recent meet-the-management event in New York showcased a different kind of volatility, one that can erupt when solar executives don't like the contrarian opinions of skeptical analysts and investors.

Like the bouncers that stand guard outside Moscow VIP nightclubs, booting anyone but Gazprom-level oligarchs, First Solar barred a hedge-fund manager who maintains a short position on the stock from attending the meeting.

The First Solar event was held to provide guidance on 2010, before which some analysts had questioned whether First Solar was being too conservative for such a fast-growing company.

First Solar also used the event to introduce its new chief executive, Rob Gillette.

Andrew Kaplan, however, a manager and analyst at the New York-based hedge fund Harvest Capital Strategies, was not among the attendees who got to shake the new CEO's hand.

A First Solar spokeswoman, Lisa Morse, said the solar company "did not exclude anyone based on anything. We had some of our biggest critics and fans in attendance." She said the only reason anyone was excluded from the event was if they had not sent an RSVP in time. Also, Morse said, the hotel ballroom had reached capacity and the hotel's fire code mandated that attendees lacking proper confirmation take part in the event through its webcast.