This study investigates experimentally and theoretically the effects of operating and configuration parameters on convection heat transfer process and fluid flow characteristics for air flowing in transitional regimes through parallel plate channels with staggered plates segments heated by radiant heat flux. This configuration is to be utilized in air heater solar collectors and/or in a combined photovoltaic and air heater solar collector systems (PV/T). The operating parameters tested were Reynolds number (Re) values ranging from 2580 to 4650 with a combination of incident radiation heat flux (q(inc)) values of 400, 700, and 1000 W/m(2), respectively. The experimental results show that the local Nusselt number (Nu(x)) is not unique function of the axial distance, in addition, a linear relationship between Re and apparent friction factor (f) was observed. Moreover, the model results show that combination of Re values in the laminar flow regime with proper selection of both plate's length and thickness can lead to enhancement in the heat transfer from the plate segments to the air stream. This is due to self-oscillatory flow mixer in wake zone behind each plate segment. Consequently, this will lead to avoid the need of more pumping power for the case of the flow falling within the transitional regime in the channel. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.