► A model for the performances of volumetric solar air receiver was developed. ► Sensitivity studies show the thermal non-equilibrium phenomena are distinct locally. ► The mean cell size has a dominant effect on the performances of solar air receiver. ► The solid thermal conductivity of absorber is not important to the air receiver. ► The desired temperature distribution of the absorber is realizable. Ceramic foams are promising materials for the absorber of volumetric solar air receivers in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) receivers. The macroscopic temperature distribution in the volumetric solar air receiver is crucial to guarantee that volumetric solar air receivers work steadily, safely and above all, efficiently. This study analyzes the temperature distribution of the fluid and solid phases in volumetric solar air receivers. The pressure drop in the ceramic foams and the interfacial heat transfer between the flowing fluid and solid are included in the model. The radiative heat transfers due to concentrated solar radiation absorption by the ceramic foam and the radiation transport in the media were modeled with the P 1 approximation. The energy fields of the fluid and solid phases were obtained using the local thermal non-equilibrium model (LTNE). Comparison of the macroscopic model with experimental results shows that the macroscopic model can be used to predict the performance of solar air receivers. Sensitivity studies were conducted to analyze the effects of velocity, porosity, mean cell size and the thermal conductivity of the solid phase on the temperature fields. The results illustrate that the thermal non-equilibrium phenomena are locally important, and the mean cell size has a dominant effect on the temperature field.