In this study, a comprehensive mathematical model was developed and proposed for a cylindrical cavity receiver, placed at focal point of a parabolic dish collector (PDC) system. The main approach in the model is based on non-isothermal internal walls of receiver. The model was validated with experimental data and the statistical parameters of R-2, RMSE and MBE show that there is a good agreement between the model results and experimental data. The effect of some operational parameters such as, HTF mass flow rate and global solar irradiation intensity, and some geometrical parameters of solar receiver such as, receiver aperture diameter and its length on the thermal performance of the system were investigated. For the parabolic dish collector and its receiver, a new definition called as solar irradiation concentration ratio (CRirr), was proposed. For a receiver with geometrical concentration ratio (CRgeo) greater than solar irradiation concentration ratio, by increasing in receiver aperture area up to 0.2 m the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) outlet temperature and receiver thermal efficiency are increased. For CRgeo less than CRirr, the mentioned parameters decrease due to increasing in heat losses. The proposed model can be applied in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) of novel high performance solar receivers. 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.