Recent developments in solar tower technology, aimed at the achievement of high temperatures (above 1100 K) for the operation of advanced power conversion units (gas turbine and combined cycle), require careful analysis of their optimal operating parameters. This study presents a method of optimization for design parameters, such as the receiver working temperature and the heliostat field density. This method aims at maximizing the overall efficiency of the three major subsystems that constitute the entire plant, namely, the heliostat field and the tower, the receiver and its accompanying secondary optics, and the power block. The results of this optimization process are shown and analyzed. The principal result demonstrates that the operating temperature has an optimal value and its further increase can lower the overall efficiency of the system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.