Aiming at the problems of high energy consumption and insufficient utilization potential of clean energy in expressway service areas in severe cold and arid desert areas, this paper takes the Xinjiang Kelameili Service Area as the research object to explore the optimal configuration scheme and comprehensive benefits of a photovoltaic system in this specific scenario, providing a technical reference for the energy transformation of transportation buildings in desert areas. The field research method was used to collect measured data of energy consumption and photovoltaic operation in the service area in 2022-2024. The photovoltaic simulation model was constructed using PVsyst 7.3.1 software. The inclination and azimuth parameters were optimized by the control variable method, and the energy savings, carbon emission reductions and economic benefits of the system were calculated by the whole life cycle analysis method. The study found that the total power consumption of the service area in 2024 was 3.661 million kWh, and the actual annual power generation of the existing photovoltaic system was 438 million Wh, accounting for only 12% of the total power consumption. After optimization, the optimal inclination angle of the photovoltaic panel was determined to be 14 degrees, and the azimuth angle was 89 degrees/-89 degrees. Additionally, the maximum annual power generation of the system reached 579 MWh. Throughout the whole life cycle of the photovoltaic system, it is expected to save 1692 tons of standard coal, reduce CO2 emissions by about 10,311.98 tons, reduce carbon revenue by about 524,800 yuan, and reduce comprehensive income by about 8,097,000 yuan. The static investment recovery period is about 22 years. Reasonable optimization of photovoltaic system configuration can effectively improve the self-sufficiency rate of clean energy in desert expressway service areas. The research results have reference significance for photovoltaic applications in service areas in similar alpine arid areas.