With the aim to optimize the centrifugal pump load matching characteristics with a photovoltaic system, a method to estimate the system configurations was established at first. In sunny conditions, the basic parameters of centrifugal pumps in the highest solar radiation level were obtained through this method. Several sets of centrifugal pumps with different ratios between rated flow and maximum flow were matched with the PV system, and the system performances in different conditions were analyzed. According to the results of comparisons, a group of load characteristic parameters were selected for selecting pump model and testing. Results show that the more oblique of the characteristic curve of centrifugal pumps, the more suitable for the PV system. The efficiency of this system increases with the ratio between maximum flow and rated flow, and is higher when the ratio is between 1.1~1.2. This study provides a reference for PV centrifugal pumps load model selection and optimization.