This paper deals with the optimization of utility-scale, single-axis tracking PV power plant design, and suggests the use of a new evaluation metric YAREA, represented by the annual energy yield normalized by the PV power plant area. This metric takes into account both the energy yield (MWh/MWp) and the total energy production efficiency of the PV plant (MWh/m(2)), performing an optimization of both yield and available area. To illustrate and validate the proposed method, historical solar irradiation data were treated and used as input data for the creation of a large number of PV power plant topology scenarios spread over the Brazilian 8.5 million km(2) national territory, and a case study was presented to illustrate the proposed method. The new metric showed important results for the PV plant design decision-making process, indicating a technical optimization complemented by the evaluation of the LCOE, leading to an economic optimization. While the topology defined through YAREA presents an average of 12.4% reduction of the maximum LCOE found, it presents a 58.9% enhanced YAREA and 91.4% more energy generated per surface area, almost doubling the investment potential over an area.