There is a known bug with the production sliders, but i've not heard of it resulting in a crash before. The known bug HAS been fixed in the Easter update, (I know because i've playtested a beta version of it) so with any luck the crash problem has also been fixed.
The problem with the Solar Panels is my fault, and is due to an incorrect setting in the editor. The same problem affects a number of structures because I believed the requirements system was an or system rather than an and system. For example, if you set the requirements a structure to Terran, Jungle, Oceanic, the game will take it as meaning the structure requires a Terran AND a Jungle AND an Oceanic planet, instead of requiring a Terran OR a Jungle, OR an Oceanic planet. Unfortunately I only found out about this after I sent the update to Mike, so the Easter update will NOT fix this problem. I also can't continue to work on updates until after the Easter update is released or my updates will not be compatible - so i'm waiting for the update just as much as you are.

I've sent Mike a PM, and i'll try and speak to him if I see him online. The Easter update should be released any time soon now, but i'll nudge him soon as I see him in case he forgot.

*Edit - I just saw Mike on MSN. He's been swamped with work and hasn't been able to get the update ready for release yet. He'll put it up soon as he can.