http://www.fieldlines.com/index.php/topic,145005.0.htmlYou should find something in there.
If the cells are matched in the panel, no harm should come from shorting them.... but if the cells have mismatched internal resistance (micro cracks in particular) then some will get very hot spots, while others don't... and can damage the glass itself even with 3x2 cells.... may crack it if normal glass.
The state of charge of the batteries will also drop the current if they are near charged as well.
Your short circuit current is the most current you can get , but if you look at a graph of a solar cells volts and amps, you will see you can't get that current once you let the voltage rise... the most you can expect gets less from Isc as you let the volts rise.... until you have max volts and no current at Voc.... and every where in between.
The oxygen thing I have heard of... may be some truth...... but it is more important to protect from moisture... ie humidity and condensation at night. This usually kills the home made panels that are built without EVA or special silicons.... water vapor is the enemy.
I have forgotten just how many kilowatts of panels I have built for solar pumping, but it is over 5kw at least.... they all still work perfectly well years later.
So have fun with it.
.................oztules