The optimization of spectrally selective solar-absorbing three-layer coatings was studied from both theoretical and experimental points of view. The base layer consists of a cermet (ceramic-metal composite) material, where small metal clusters are embedded in the dielectric surrounding. The results show considerable enhancement of the solar absorption due to the metal nanoparticles. Theoretical treatment of the optical properties of the cermet was carried out using effective medium theory. The experimentally determined optical constants of calibration samples were used to calculate the film reflectance of single or multiple layers. Theoretically optimized three-layer coatings show solar absorptance value as high as 0.97 and moderate reflectance at 2.5 mu m giving low thermal emittance. Experimental optimization was carried out through control of the coatings layer by layer. The metal content and the film thickness are two important parameters for cermet films. Only thickness is sensitive to the middle and top layer. The optical properties are matched in such a way that the base layer functions as main absorber, the top layer reduces the reflectance from the front surface, and the middle layer links the base and the top layers. An experimentally optimized solar absorptance of 0.97 with a thermal emittance of 0.05 was obtained, which shows that the optimization procedure is reliable. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.