Energy is a critical resource for human progress and societal well-being, but its generation must be environmentally clean and sustainable. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a key renewable energy solution, but they must be optimized. This research is part of that effort. Many PV system designs with the same components are created, analyzed, and compared with the help of the System Advisor Model (SAM) version 2025.4.16. The one-row South azimuth PV system 1-2-15-S is the one with the highest annual energy production of 14,348 kWh/year, with the lowest installation space of 52.1 m2 and the lowest payback period of 4.9 years, but it is suitable for comparatively small PV plants. The multi-row South azimuth PV systems are the most widely used and versatile. They offer comparatively high performance, an average installation space requirement, and a good payback period. Their optimal ground coverage ratio is in the range 0.3–0.6. For large projects, the East–West azimuth PV systems require 50–60% lower installation surface area, but they might generate from 15 to 30% less energy per year, and are suitable for high daily energy price deviations. The rest of the designs investigated have their unique advantages and disadvantages, which are compared.
Ventsislav Keseev (Mon,) studied this question.