Optimizing PV System Design With RETScreen: A Comparative Analysis of High‐Performance and Lower Collector Area Modules

Renewable energy, including solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, is essential for worldwide decarbonization. This study compares high‐efficiency, large collector area (HE/LCA) modules to low‐efficiency, small collector area (LE/SCA) modules with a 100 MW power capacity. RETScreen Expert was used to do a techno‐economic and environmental study on two systems: the Jinko‐615 W (HE/LCA) and the Seraphim‐270 W (LE/SCA). Over a 20‐year lifetime, the Jinko system is expected to provide more than double the total energy of the Seraphim system, which is 3.94 TWh. The Jinko system generated $44.83 million in power export income each year, compared with Seraphim’s $19.68 million, and had a far greater Net Present Value (NPV) of $132.81 million compared with Seraphim’s $58.31 million. A higher internal rate of return and a lower levelized cost of electricity ($0.085/kWh) emphasized the Jinko configuration’s stronger financial stability. The Jinko system significantly reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 220,932 tCO 2 e annually, surpassing Seraphim’s decrease of 96,995 tCO 2 e. Sensitivity and probabilistic studies confirmed its higher possibility of long‐term profitability and better financial resilience. The Jinko design provides a higher internal rate of return and a lower levelized cost of energy ($0.085/kWh), while also doubling annual GHG emission reductions. The study indicates that high‐efficiency modules, while more expensive initially, yield superior economic and environmental benefits for utility‐scale PV systems.