Designed for student use in "Materials, Materials Handling, and Fabrication Processes," one of 11 courses in a 2-year associate degree program in solar technology, this manual provides readings, exercises, worksheets, bibliographies, and illustrations for 13 course modules. The manual, which corresponds to an instructor guide for the same course, covers the following topics: (1) general shop safety; (2) units of measuring and measuring devices; (3) hand tools/power tools and fasteners; (4) welding; (5) carpentry; (6) sheet metal; (7) roofing, flashing, and pitch pans; (8) soldering; (9) piping practices; (10) glazing materials; (11) material coatings and materials compatability; (12) insulation; and (13) electrical practices. (AYC)