Techniques and systems for design of optical switch arrays so as to minimize power requirements are described. A design system includes a computer system hosting a design program. The design program receives parameters for the switch array, including a number N of outputs required, and either a maximum number L of stages allowed or maximum and average power requirements allowed. If power requirements are used as parameters, the design program uses N and the power requirements to compute the value of L. The design program then constructs a minimum power sequence of L switches or N switches, whichever is less. If N is less than L+1, N outputs are present and the array is complete. If N is greater than L+1, the design program then adds switches one at a time to the minimum power switch path of the array, until the array provides N outputs.