A novel selective coating material based on Mo-Si3N4 has been investigated for the first time. Accurate combination of the individual component layers based on optical simulations and precise control of layers thickness and composition leads to high solar absorptivity (alpha(Sol)=0.926) and low thermal emissivity (epsilon 25 c=0.017) on a silver film, resulting in a high solar thermal energy conversion efficiency. The tandem absorber is stable in moderate vacuum at temperatures above 600 degrees C showing low emissivity (estimated value at 600 degrees C is epsilon(600) c=0.109) evidencing its relevance for high temperature solar selective applications. A full optical and thermal analysis of a parabolic trough concentrator (PTC) system confirmed the potential of the novel coating material to be used for CSP technology. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.