Rick Laughhunn

Why this site exists

I’ve been wiring houses for 20+ years. Started as a journeyman, earned my Master Electrician license in Texas, then got NABCEP-certified when solar + battery work took over a big chunk of my residential projects. I’ve pulled permits, installed systems, and written load calcs from [NEEDS: Rick's service area — e.g. “Austin to San Antonio”].

What I kept running into: homeowners getting sold battery and solar systems that weren’t right for their house, by companies whose compensation was tied to the sale, not the outcome. Solar salespeople quoting 1:1 net metering on plans that didn’t have it. Battery installers recommending 30 kWh systems to people who needed 10. Inverters spec’d for loads they couldn’t handle.

So I started publishing what I actually tell people when they call me for a second opinion. That’s this site.

Credentials (the full version)

• Texas Master Electrician — TDLR License [NEEDS: Rick's license #]. Active, good standing. This is the state’s highest residential + commercial electrical credential; it’s the one required to sign off on service upgrades, permit applications, and complex load calcs.
• NABCEP PV Storage Installation Professional — the industry’s standard credential for solar + battery installers. Cert # [NEEDS: cert #].
• 20+ years residential wiring experience — started [NEEDS: year], active on projects today.
• NEC code compliance — updated on every cycle. Current focus: Articles 690 (Solar PV), 705 (Interconnection), 706 (Energy Storage), and 220 (Load Calculations).

What you can ask me

I answer every forum question personally. If it’s in my wheelhouse, here’s what to expect:

• Battery system design for a specific house (load calc, subpanel spec, inverter selection)
• Solar + battery integration (AC vs DC coupling, hybrid inverter choice)
• NEC code questions (will this pass inspection?)
• Texas retail electricity plan selection (what plan + battery combo actually saves money)
• Second opinions on a quote you got from an installer
• Second-story / detached-structure wiring questions
• Permit + inspection process in TX

What I don’t answer:

• Tax advice (I’m not a CPA — I can cite the law, but talk to a professional)
• Brand-vs-brand debates without a specific use case (“which is better” needs context)
• Anything outside Texas electrical code specifically (general NEC yes; state-by-state licensing, no)

My own system

I practice what I write. The system at my own house:

• 1,200 sqft Texas home, pool, one 4-ton central AC
• 8 kW DC rooftop solar on Enphase microinverters (grid-tied, no battery yet)
• 2× Antminer S19J Pros on a free-nights plan, timer-controlled
• Monthly electric bill: ~$60. Monthly net benefit including miner revenue: $560–$740.

Full breakdown with real numbers: My Texas house mines Bitcoin for $0 in electricity.

How to reach me

• Forum (fastest): Post a question. I answer every one, usually within 24-48 hours.
• Email: rick@solarbatterytips.com
• Weekly field notes: I publish articles to the email list first. Subscribe below.

Affiliates + editorial policy

Some product links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link hardware I’ve personally installed or would install in my own home. I do not accept sponsored posts, paid reviews, or pay-to-rank placements. A manufacturer paying me does not change my opinion of their product; the inverse is also true.

If a product turns out to be bad after I’ve written about it, the article gets an update or gets pulled — not quietly edited. You can see the last-modified date on every article page.