This article focuses on experimental techniques for characterizing the performance of a wire mesh, solar, volumetric air receiver. The solar volumetric receiver is a type of solar energy collector that operates ill a high-temperature and high-radiative-flux environment. Primary areas of experimental measurements were (1) solar radiation properties of the wire mesh, (2) convection heat transfer rates between the wire mesh and the surrounding air, (3) temperature and radiation flux levels during operation, and (4) overall efficiency of the receiver. Experimental work was performed with an average solar flux over the absorber aperture of approximately 660 kW/m(2). Tests were conducted with the average outlet air temperature typically ranging from 310 to 790 degrees C and resulting efficiencies from 77% to 67%, respectively.