[Lancaster, California USA]

Security harassed this Blogger while taking photos of AVSR1 from a public road.

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

After the NRG Alpine Solar Project photo op, I continued east on State Route 138 and reached the First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) AVSR1 (AV Solar Ranch One) 230 MegaWatt (AC) project New Year’s Day afternoon. North of Route 138 or W. Avenue D, substantial progress was evident since I last stumbled upon AVSR1 over a year ago.

View First Solar AVSR1 Project in a larger map

I decided to review the southern section under construction and turned right on 170th St. West. Scoping out the project block, I observed a security presence at the site entrance and made a mental note to be on my best behavior. Doubling back, I stopped on the east side of the road and proceeded to take photos from the public street shoulder.

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

It appears my activities were quickly observed and a security person, I’ll call him the good security person, drove over in a pickup truck, stepped out, and told me First Solar did not allow photos to be taken. I explained how it was legal to take photos from public property, namely the street. In an amicable way, he reiterated First Solar did not allow photography and said employees were also not allowed to take photos. I pointed out First Solar was within its rights to prohibit or restrict photography on the site but not on public property. Unsatisfied, the security person returned to the pickup and left. As he got into the vehicle, I happened to notice he was armed from the holster on his belt.

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

I continued taking photos as I moved back towards Route 138. Quite honestly, the photos, as inset, were of negligible value with the chain link fence in the way and interfering with the focus. Passing the site entrance again, a second security person intercepted me. Staying in his pickup truck on the road, the second security person, the bad security person, was adamant about the First Solar photography prohibition. Nonetheless, I kept snapping photos and even changed lenses. With a menacing tone, the second security person reiterated the photography ban. In an ill advised approach, I asked what he was going to do, arrest me? As a third party security pickup pulled up, I decided to evac (evacuate) as discretion is the better part of valor? Before leaving I took a few photos of the second security person as he pointed at me and warned me not to do so. Not a wise move if things were truly amiss. I knew I had not done anything wrong, but I was worried events could be misportrayed, and it would boil down to my word against theirs with the local police arbitrating.

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

While there are exceptions relating to military installations, nuclear facilities, and people, according to Bert P. Krages II, Attorney at Law:

The general rule in the United States is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place or places where they have permission to take photographs.

The Photographer’s Right flyer details “Your Rights and Remedies When Stopped or Confronted for Photography” in the United States and is most helpful if you are not a trained journalist or photojournalist. Of relevant interest, the section “Who Is Likely to Violate Your Rights” states:

Most confrontations are started by security guards and employees of organizations who fear photography. The most common reason given is security but often such persons have no articulated reason. Security is rarely a legitimate reason for restricting photography. Taking a photograph is not a terrorist act nor can a business legitimately assert that taking a photograph of a subject in public view infringes on its trade secrets.

The next day, I contacted First Solar and explained what happened at AVSR1, requested corrective action, and, out of character, asked for an apology. First Solar looked into the events, promised to remind security of rights pertaining to public roads, and extended an apology to me by the end of the same day. Thank you First Solar!

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

I can understand the heightened security at AVSR1 after the acts of vandalism reported by Herman Trabish for Greentech Media in “$100,000 Vandalism at the First Solar/Exelon Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One”. However, aggressive security extended to the community and casual observers will tend to disaffect supporters in addition to detractors. And by so doing, the need for an active security force will be extended throughout the twenty-five (25) year project life, raising O&M, Operations & Maintenance, costs and lowering project returns.

From AV Solar Ranch One (AVSR1)

In retrospect, I have never observed armed security at a solar project before. With utility scale photovoltaic solar plants, hundreds of millions to billions of dollars are at stake so perhaps armed security is becoming the norm. But I can’t imagine why the public should ever be prevented from taking photos of solar facilities enabled by state Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals.