I wonder if they have tried or are considering spreading a scented substance (a powder?) in the immediate area. It wouldn't stop birds from flying into the solar plant, but it might condition the roadrunners such that they know not to run in that direction when fleeing a coyote.
It could be costly anywhere else, but in the mojave desert, scent probably lingers for a much longer period of time. That's my guess, anyway.
Methyl anthranilate [0], commonly used as artificial grape flavoring and naturally found in Concord grapes, is a bird repellent. They can certainly smell it, if not other odors.
If you want to keep birds out of your strawberry patch, for instance, you can sprinkle packets of grape Kool-Aid over it.
> They have fitted each tower with machines that emit a nonlethal avian respiratory irritant derived from grape juice concentrate, a method typically used to keep birds from congregating on agricultural fields and commercial centers.
Your comments might be helpful to discussion if you read the article first to understand what has been already tried instead of jumping to offer a solution.
It could be costly anywhere else, but in the mojave desert, scent probably lingers for a much longer period of time. That's my guess, anyway.