A solar receiver for converting solar radiation into thermal energy. The solar receiver includes a heat-absorbing solid body, a fluid system to provide a flow of working fluid proximate to the heat-absorbing solid body, and a movement device to move the heat-absorbing solid body such that one or more surfaces of the heat-absorbing solid body are periodically exposed to incident solar radiation. The incident solar radiation heats a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid. The at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body is configured to promote absorption of incident solar radiation, promote transfer of heat from the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body to the working fluid, promote cooling of the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body, or promote any combination thereof.