This article reports results of a theoretical analysis as well as a numerical study investigating the occurrence of flow instabilities in porous materials applied as volumetric solar receivers. After a short introduction into the technology of volumetric solar receivers, which are aimed to supply heat for a steam turbine process to generate electricity, the general requirements of materials applied as solar volumetric receivers are reviewed. Finally, the main methods and results of the two studies are reported. In the theoretical analysis it is shown that heat conductivity as well as permeability properties of the porous materials have significant influence on the probability of the occurrence of flow instabilities. The numerical study has been performed to investigate the occurrence of unstable flow in heated ceramic foam materials. In the simulations a constant heat flow of radiation, that is absorbed in a defined volume, and constant permeability coefficients are assumed. Boundary conditions similar to those of the 10 MW Solucar Solar project have been chosen. In a three dimensional, heterogeneous two phase heat transfer model it was possible to simulate local overheating of the porous structure. The parameters heat conductivity, turbulent permeability coefficient and radial dispersion coefficient have been varied systematically. Consequently, for a heat flux density of 1 MW/m(2) a parameter chart could be generated, showing the possible occurrence of "unstable" or "stable" thermal and fluid mechanical behaviour. These numerical results are beneficial for the design of optimized materials for volumetric receivers. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.