A method for determining wind turbine location within a wind power plant based on at least one design criteria. A wind turbine layout including at least one wind turbine location is prepared and site conditions at each wind turbine location are determined. One or more plant design metrics are evaluated in response to the site conditions. The plant design metrics are analyzed in response to the site conditions. The method further includes applying constraints to the wind turbine layout and comparing the plant design metrics to the design criteria and constraints. Thereafter, the wind turbine locations are selectively adjusted within the layout in response to the comparing step until a stop criteria is reached.