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A solar receiver is provided, comprising a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, having front and rear ends; a window configured to allow radiation to pass therethrough, the window being mounted at the front end and projecting within the housing; a receiver chamber defined between th

A solar receiver is provided, comprising a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, having front and rear ends; a window configured to allow radiation to pass therethrough, the window being mounted at the front end and projecting within the housing; a receiver chamber defined between the housing and the window, the receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated therewithin, and a working fluid outlet for egress therethrough of the heated working fluid; and a solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing the radiation and heating the working fluid thereby, the absorber being located within the receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of the window, the solar radiation absorber being formed with channels and made of a foam material, such as a ceramic or metallic foam material, having a characteristic average pore diameter.

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1. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, and having front and rear ends;a window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window, said window being mounted at said front end of said receiver housing and projecting within said receiver h

1. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, and having front and rear ends;a window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window, said window being mounted at said front end of said receiver housing and projecting within said receiver housing;a receiver chamber defined between said receiver housing and said window, said receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated into the receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from the receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing said solar radiation and heating said working fluid, said solar radiation absorber being located within said receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of said window, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element, andone or more solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element and extending from said insulating support element towards said window, said one or more solar radiation absorber elements being made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, said one or more solar radiation elements each having one or more channels, and each of said one or more channels:being located in an outer surface of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements;having a depth and width defined by sidewalls and a bottom wall in said one or more solar radiation absorber elements, said depth partially traversing a thickness of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements;being open at a proximal, window-facing, end;extending radially within each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements from the proximal, window-facing, end; andterminating within each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements with a distal end being closed by said material of the absorber. 2. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more solar radiation absorber elements each comprise one or more upper projections located in an upper circumferential band and one or more lower projections located in a lower circumferential band. 3. The solar receiver according to claim 2, wherein said one or more upper projections are staggeringly arranged relative to said lower projections. 4. The solar receiver according to claim 3, wherein said one or more solar radiation absorber elements are formed with said one or more channels formed in a particular axially-facing side of each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements, and said one or more channels disposed within each particular band opening towards a single axial direction. 5. The solar receiver according to claim 4, wherein said one or more channels of each of said bands open towards opposite axial directions. 6. The solar receiver according to claim 5, wherein said one or more channels in a particular band are disposed axially adjacent to portions of material of said one or more solar absorber elements located between said one or more channels of said band located on an opposite side of said one or more solar absorber elements. 7. The solar receiver according to claim 5, wherein said one or more solar radiation absorber elements are arranged such that said one or more channels of said one solar radiation absorber elements are disposed axially adjacent to portions of material located between said one or more channels of an adjacent said one or more solar radiation absorber elements. 8. The solar receiver according to claim 5, wherein portions of material of said solar radiation absorber located between said one or more channels of each of said bands circumferentially overlaps portions of material of said solar radiation absorber between said one more channels of the other of said two bands. 9. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein portions of material of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements located between said one or more channels comprises a wave-shaped window-facing profile. 10. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein an axial thickness of each of a section of the material of said solar radiation absorber bounding said one or more channels is greater than three times said average pore diameter. 11. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein an axial thickness of each of a section of the material of said solar radiation absorber bounding said one or more channels is greater than five times said average pore diameter. 12. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein the material of said solar radiation absorber closing said distal end of each of said one more channels has a thickness, in a radial direction, greater than three times said average pore diameter. 13. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said material of said solar radiation absorber closing the distal end of each said one or more channels has a thickness, in a radial direction, greater than five times said average pore diameter. 14. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more channels have a shape in a cross-section of a plane which is perpendicular to a radial direction, being substantially rectangular. 15. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein a circumferential length of each of said one or more channels is smaller than that of a portion of material of said absorber circumferentially adjacent thereto. 16. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein a radial length of each said one or more channels is larger than that of the material of solar radiation absorber closing said distal end thereof. 17. The solar receiver according to claim 1, being designed to facilitate working fluid to flow from said working fluid inlet around and along said window prior to flowing into said solar radiation absorber. 18. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said foam material is selected from the group comprising a ceramic foam material and a metallic foam material. 19. A solar receiver system, comprising: a solar receiver according to claim 1, and a turbine operative to receive said working fluid from said working outlet and to generate electricity therefrom. 20. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more channels each having a rectangular cross-section provided into an outer surface of each respective said one or more solar radiation absorber elements. 21. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more solar radiation elements are one or more solar radiation plate elements comprising a plurality of radial projections on at least one side of said one or more solar radiation elements defining sidewalls of said one or more channels. 22. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more solar radiation elements are one or more annular-shaped solar radiation elements extending into a flow pathway defined between said working fluid inlet and said working fluid outlet, whereby the working fluid passes through said one or more solar radiation elements. 23. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said window comprises a conical shape configuration. 24. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said window comprises a frusto-conical configuration. 25. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein each solar radiation absorber element comprises spaced apart protrusions extending upwardly from said bottom wall of said one or more channels defining said sidewalls of said one or more channels. 26. The solar receiver according to claim 25, wherein an upper surface of each said protrusion defines a portion of said upper surface of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements. 27. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements comprise alternating protrusions and channels defining an entire closed outer surface on one side of said solar radiation absorber element. 28. The solar receiver according to claim 1, wherein said one or more solar radiation absorber elements are annular plates. 29. A solar radiation absorber for use in a solar receiver, said solar radiation absorber being configured for absorbing radiation and heating a working fluid thereby, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; anda plurality of solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element, said solar radiation absorber elements being made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, each of said plurality of solar radiation absorber elements comprising projections on both sides of each solar radiation absorber element defining outwardly extending radial one or more channels provided in an outer surface of each respective said solar radiation absorber element, each of said one or more channels having a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said protrusions and a bottom wall in said solar radiation absorber element, said depth partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber, each of said one or more channels comprising an open proximal window-facing end, and terminating within each solar radiation absorber element at a distal end being closed by said material of said solar radiation absorber. 30. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, said receiver housing comprising front and rear ends;a window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window, said window being mounted at said front end and projecting within said receiver housing;a receiver chamber defined between said receiver housing and said window, said receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated into said receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from said receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing said solar radiation and heating said working fluid thereby, said solar radiation absorber being located within said receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of said window, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element, anda plurality of axially spaced solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element and extending from said insulating support element toward said window, said solar radiation absorber elements being made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, each solar radiation absorber element comprising a plurality of projections located on both sides of said solar radiation absorber element defining a plurality of channels provided in an outer surface of each said solar radiation absorber element, and each of said channels being open at a proximal window-facing end, and terminating within each solar radiation absorber element at a distal end being closed by said material of said solar radiation absorber element,wherein each said solar radiation absorber element defines a plurality of circumferential bands, each comprising a plurality of said channels,wherein portions of material of said solar radiation absorber element located between the channels of each of one of said bands circumferentially overlaps portions of material of said solar radiation absorber element located between said channels of an adjacent said bands; andwherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said projections and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements. 31. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, said receiver housing comprising front and rear ends;a window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window, said window being mounted at said front end and projecting within said housing;a receiver chamber defined between said receiver housing and said window, said receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated into said receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from said receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing said solar radiation and heating said working fluid, said radiation absorber being located within said receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of said window, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; anda plurality of axially spaced solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element, each said solar radiation absorber elements comprising a plurality of projections defining a plurality of radial channels provided in an outer surface of both sides of each solar radiation absorber element, said solar radiation absorber elements being made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, and each of said channels comprising an open proximal window-facing end, and terminating within each solar radiation absorber element at a distal end being closed by said material of the solar radiation absorber elements,wherein each said solar radiation absorber element comprises one or more circumferential bands, said one or more bands being axially arranged to comprise said radiation absorber element, and wherein said channels are spaced apart in each of said one or more bands; andwherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said projections and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements. 32. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing;a window associated with said housing, said window configured to project inwardly into said receiver housing and define a receiver chamber between said receiver housing and said window, said window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window into said receiver chamber, said receiver chamber comprising a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated into said receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from said receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber located within the receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing the solar radiation and heating the working fluid flowing through said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; anda plurality of solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element and axially spaced along an axis of said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber comprising an array of annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber elements configured to accommodate said window, said solar radiation absorber elements comprising a plurality of channels provided in an outer surface of each said solar radiation absorber elements, said channels being open at a proximal window-facing end and terminating at a closed distal end located within the solar radiation absorber elements,wherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements. 33. The solar receiver according to claim 32, wherein an inner diameter of said annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber elements of said array decreases with increasing penetration distance into said receiver housing to accommodate a conical shape of said window. 34. The solar receiver according to claim 33, wherein said array of annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber elements are connected at one end to said supporting element. 35. The solar receiver according to claim 34, wherein said supporting element is a conical shape supporting element connected to and surrounding said array of annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber elements. 36. The solar receiver according to claim 35, wherein outer edges of said annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber elements are embedded within the support element. 37. The solar receiver according to claim 32, wherein at least one side of each annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber element is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending radial projections defining said channels. 38. The solar receiver according to claim 37, wherein both sides of each annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber element is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending radial projections defining said channels. 39. The solar receiver according to claim 38, wherein said channels on one side of the annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber are offset by angle relative to said channels located on an opposite side of said annular disk-shaped solar radiation absorber. 40. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing comprising a window and a receiver chamber, said window allowing solar radiation to pass through said window into said receiver chamber, said receiver chamber comprising a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated within said receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from said receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber located within said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber absorbing the solar radiation and heating the working fluid flowing through said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; anda plurality of solar radiation absorber plate elements axial supported by said insulating support element and arranged along an axis of said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber plate elements each comprising a plurality of spaced apart radial projections located on at least one side of said solar radiation absorber plate elements defining a plurality of radial channels provided in a surface of each respective said solar radiation absorber plate elements with the channels being located between the spaced apart and defined by said radial protrusions, said solar radiation absorber plate elements being configured so that said radial channels comprise inner open ends located adjacent said window configured to receive the solar radiation and terminating at closed outer ends located within the solar radiation absorber plate elements, andwherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said projections and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements. 41. A solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing comprising a window and a receiver chamber, said window allowing solar radiation to pass through said window into said receiver chamber, said receiver chamber comprising a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated within said receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from said receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber located within said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber absorbing the solar radiation and heating the working fluid flowing through said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; anda plurality of solar radiation absorber elements supported by said insulating support element and axial arranged along an axis of said receiver chamber, said solar radiation absorber plate elements each comprising a plurality of spaced apart radial projections provided in a surface of each respective solar radiation absorber plate element and provide on at least one side of said solar radiation absorber plate elements defining a plurality of radial channels located between said spaced apart radial projections, said solar radiation absorber plate elements being configured so that said radial channels comprise inner open ends located adjacent to said window configured to receive the solar radiation, said radial channels extending only a portion of a width of the solar radiation absorber plate elements to provide closed outer ends of the radial channels terminating within the solar radiation absorber plate elements, andwherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said projections and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements. 42. The solar receiver, comprising: a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, having front and rear ends;a window configured to allow solar radiation to pass through said window, said window being mounted at said front end and projecting within said receiver housing;a receiver chamber defined between said receiver housing and said window, said receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated into the receiver chamber, and a working fluid outlet for egress of the heated working fluid from the receiver chamber; anda solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing said solar radiation and heating said working fluid, said solar radiation absorber being located within said receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of said window, said solar radiation absorber comprising: an insulating support element; andone or more solar radiation elements supported by said insulating support element and extending from said insulating support element towards said window, said one or more solar radiation absorber elements each being provided with one or more projections defining one or more channels in a surface of each respective said one or more radiation absorber elements, said one or more solar radiation absorber elements being made of a foam material having a characteristic average pore diameter, and each of said one or more channels:being open at a proximal, window-facing, end;extending radially within each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements from the proximal, window-facing, end; andterminating within each of said one or more solar radiation absorber elements with a distal end being closed by said material of the absorber,wherein said channels and perforations of the solar radiation absorber define together an absorber fluid channel operative to allow working fluid to flow through the solar radiation absorber, andwherein said channels have a depth and a width defined by sidewalls of said projections and a bottom wall in each said solar radiation absorber elements, said depth of said channels partially traversing a thickness of said solar radiation absorber elements.