Help me understand the situation. When you say the outlet is below a panel, I gather you are not talking about a branch circuit panel. So what is the panel? And what do you mean by solar metering equipment? And what do you mean by plugging in solar metering equipment. Finally, what kind of outlet is this (i.e., is it a normal receptacle outlet into which you could plug a portable tool while doing work in the garage, or is the outlet somehow related directly to the solar metering equipment)?
My interpretation of the exception to which you refer is this: In my garage at home, I have a fridge and a freezer sitting on the floor side-by-side. A duplex receptacle is located behind the freezer, and both appliances are plugged into that duplex. Neither appliance is easy to move. I could use Exception 2 to 210.8(A)(2) (2005 NEC) to justify not having GFCI protection for that duplex. I might have a disagreement with you (as the inspector) over the question of whether the two appliances are in "dedicated space." But I think the bottom line is that if a person could plug a power tool or an extension cord serving an electric weed cutter into the receptacle outlet, without having to manhandle the "appliance" out of the way, then the exception would not apply, and the receptacle would need GFCI protection. I am guessing that is the situation in your case, and that the contractor is wrong.