This paper investigates the thermal performance of pressurized air solar receiver for applications in concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. The design is imagined and manufactured based on compact heat exchanger (CHE) concept. An experimental set-up has been built and a series of experiments are carried out under realistic concentrated solar irradiation conditions. The performances of the micro-channel pressurized air solar receivers have been studied in the following parameter ranges: pressure, 2-6 bar; air mass flow rates, 0.431-0.862 g s(-1), solar flux density 170-470 kW m(-2) and temperature elevation, 100-360 degrees C. Derived heat transfer coefficients reach 750 W m(-2) K-1. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.