The solar reforming of methane with CO2 is investigated using a direct irradiated absorber subjected to solar flux levels in the range 180-250 kWm(-2). This solar thermochemical process can upgrade the calorific value of the methane feed by 17% to produce hydrogen via the water-gas shift reaction. The volumetric receiver-reactor is best suited for this application because of its compactness and low thermal capacity. The new type of catalytically-activated "metallic foam" absorber-an Ni-Cr-Al-foam absorber applied with Ru/Al2O3-was found to have a superior thermal performance at relatively low solar fluxes when compared to conventional ceramic foam absorbers.