Labor and related costs account for more than half of the price of the average home solar installation. But homeowners can save thousands of dollars with this user-friendly manual, which follows the same process professional contractors use. Through detailed directions and step-by-step photos, veteran solar installer Joseph Burdick and seasoned builder Philip Schmidt teach you how to determine the size, placement, and type of installation you'll need.

This comprehensive DIY guide covers everything from assembling rooftop racking or building a ground-mount structure to setting up the electrical connections and making a battery bank for off-grid systems.

This Mother Earth News Premium: Self-Sufficient Living will teach you all about saving money with a do-it-yourself lifestyle. This issue features more than 100 articles covering recipes, livestock, gardens, and more!

Read all about planning a garden, community reliance, or saving money on groceries. Learn how to raise chickens for meat, maximize space in your garden, or build your own wind generator. Plus, get tips on how to grow vegetables all year long!

Other articles include:

• Find Your Perfect Country Property: Follow this advice to discover the property that’s just right for you.
• Hot Weather, Cool Chickens: Try these tips to keep your birds cool when the summer weather heats up.
• Homemade Snack Foods: Break free from processed foods and try these quick, healthy, and inexpensive snack recipes.
• The No-Mortgage Natural Cottage: From treehouses to tiny homes on wheels, a no-mortgage shelter can help you eschew expensive rent and debt.