What factors are considered in wind farm layout optimization?

Wind farm layout optimization balances: wake effects (downstream turbines receive reduced, turbulent wind - spacing typically 5-10 rotor diameters), terrain effects (acceleration over ridges, turbulence near cliffs), energy yield (capture maximum wind resource), turbine loading (reduce fatigue from turbulence), cable routing (minimize electrical losses and cost), environmental constraints (noise, visual, aviation, ecology), access roads, and grid connection. CFD modeling and wind flow models (WAsP, WindSim) simulate wakes. Layout tools like OpenWind optimize placement. Array losses from wakes typically 5-15%.