In this paper, Monte Carlo ray-tracing and computational fluid dynamics are used to numerically investigate the minimum entropy generation due to heat transfer and fluid friction in a parabolic trough receiver. The analysis was carried out for rim angles in the range 40 degrees-120 degrees, concentration ratios in the range 57-143, Reynolds numbers in the range 1.02 x 10(4)-1.36 x 10(6) and fluid temperatures in the range 350-650 K. Results show existence of an optimal Reynolds number at any given combination of fluid temperature, concentration ratio and rim angle for which the total entropy generation is a minimum. The total entropy generation was found to increase as the rim angle reduced, concentration ratio increased and fluid temperature reduced. The high entropy generation rates at low rim angles are mainly due to high peak temperatures in the absorber tube at these low rim angles. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.