News > You need to be solarmaxxing

You need to be solarmaxxing

• Energy democracy & policy

July 27, 2026

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen Gen Z “maxxing” everything. Looksmaxxing. Sleepmaxxing. Fibermaxxing. Even meal-prep maxxing.

So, what about solarmaxxing?

In internet slang, “maxxing” means optimizing something to get the most out of it. Solarmaxxing is all about making the most of solar energy. Whether that means installing rooftop solar, driving an electric vehicle, supporting better energy policies, or simply finding ways to use more renewable energy in your everyday life, there is a way for everyone to be solarmaxxing.

And the best part? You don’t need to have solar panels on your roof to start solarmaxxing. There are plenty of ways to maximize your solar energy impact, no matter where you live.

Start where you are: community solar

Community solar is one of the most widely accessible ways to solarmaxx. Instead of installing panels on your own property, you subscribe to a shared solar project located elsewhere in your community. That project sends energy to the grid, and you receive credits on your electricity bill based on your share of the system. This means you can still benefit from solar even if you rent your home, live in a shaded area, or don’t have the upfront resources to install rooftop panels.

Community solar also helps expand the total amount of solar energy on the grid, making clean energy more available to everyone in the region, not just individual homeowners. Why not communitymaxx while working towards energy independence?

Plug-in solar 

Plug-in solar systems are panels that you can plug right into an outlet.

They make solar accessible to people who can’t install rooftop systems, including renters. While they don’t produce as much electricity as a full rooftop system, they offer a way to directly generate and use solar energy at home. Plug-in solar isn’t available everywhere, yet. In places where plug-in solar is allowed, it can be a first step toward more energy independence and a more tangible connection to how electricity is produced.

Virtual power plants (VPPs)

Virtual power plants connect small-scale energy resources, like solar panels, home batteries, smart thermostats, electric vehicles, and smart appliances into a coordinated system that lowers costs and makes electric service more reliable for all users.

Instead of operating independently, these devices can respond to signals from utilities or energy aggregators during times of high demand. That might mean discharging stored battery energy, shifting when appliances run, or reducing overall consumption temporarily.

For participants, VPP programs can sometimes offer financial incentives or bill savings. For the grid, they provide a flexible resource that can help reduce strain during peak hours and improve reliability without building new power plants. VPPs are a way for households to actively participate in grid stability, not just consume electricity.

Already have rooftop solar? Time to level up your solarmaxxing

Even if you already have solar panels, your solarmaxxing journey doesn’t have to stop there. Homeowners with rooftop solar can maximize the benefits of their system by adding battery storage, enrolling in a virtual power plant program if one is available, or shifting energy use to daylight hours when their panels are producing the most electricity. 

Pairing solar with an electric vehicle or electrifying household appliances like water heaters and heating systems lets you put more of the solar energy you generate to work. Solarmaxxing is about squeezing every bit of value, resilience, and impact out of the energy you’re already producing.

Advocacy when access is limited

Not everyone has access to plug-in solar, community solar, or VPP programs. In many states and utility territories, these options are still limited, restricted, or in early stages of development.

That’s where advocacy becomes part of solarmaxxing, and it can be easier than it sounds. You can tell your city council you want community solar and plug in solar in your area. Ask your utility whether they offer a battery or virtual power plant program, and if they don’t, ask why. Sign a petition or send a short letter when your state is deciding if rooftop solar owners can earn fair credit for the power they send back to the grid.

Renters and homeowners alike can push for these programs, but they will only happen if decisionmakers hear from real people. You don’t have to do this work alone. We’ll tell you when the moments that matter come up, help you say what you want to say, and connect you with neighbors who care about the same things. That’s solarmaxxing too. 

Solarmaxxing is a spectrum

Solarmaxxing isn’t a single action or technology. It’s a set of pathways that depend on access, geography, and resources. For some people, it might start with community solar. For others, it might include batteries, EVs, or full rooftop systems.

And for many, it includes advocacy to make those options more widely available. The point isn’t to do everything at once. It’s to move toward a system where more people can participate in clean energy in meaningful ways. Because when more people can solarmaxx, the energy system becomes more affordable, more resilient, and more equitable for everyone. So whether you’re ready to subscribe to community solar, join a virtual power plant, volunteer with SUN, or advocate for policies that expand clean energy access, there’s a way for everyone to start solarmaxxing today.