The other day I flew out to a remote fuel tank for our helicopters to do an annual check, I found one of the solar panels had blown over in the wind (I did not install the panel) and had a little bit of damage. The battery bank was dead so we could not use it for fuel. I got my multimeter out and found that the panel was still producing 8volts and still over 25 watts (12v 125watt panel). when we returned with a new panel and batterys, there was enough power to still pump 30gals of jet fuel into the aircraft.
(http://gallery.me.com/waltermacvanepearson/100135/IMG_0119/web.jpg?ver=12514734510001)
(http://gallery.me.com/waltermacvanepearson/100135/IMG_0120/web.jpg?ver=12514734880001)
very cool that it still worked! ;D
I was wondering what one of those panels looked like broke. Now I know.
Has anyone notified NASA? :D