<p>A parabolic dish solar collector (PDC) focuses solar energy onto a receiver to produce hot water or steam for various thermal applications. The efficiency of such systems largely depends on the receiver design, which governs heat absorption and energy losses. This study investigates a cross-finned cylindrical receiver integrated with a Scheffler-type solar collector, aiming to improve thermal performance in direct water heating applications. The receiver, fabricated from stainless steel (SS-316), was analyzed using both experimental methods and steady-state thermal simulations in ANSYS Workbench. The study involved meshing, setting boundary conditions, and optimizing the fin geometry to enhance heat absorption and transfer. Simulation results showed a peak receiver temperature of 159.21&#xa0;°C and a maximum heat flux of 44,561 W/m². With 600 W/m² solar irradiance incident on an 8 m² Scheffler reflector, the absorbed heat was approximately 4800 W. A notable temperature difference of 137.16&#xa0;°C between the receiver’s centre and edge demonstrated efficient thermal concentration and distribution. The experimental results validated the simulation data, confirming the superior performance of the cross-finned receiver over conventional flat designs. This optimized configuration provides an efficient and scalable solution for solar thermal applications, particularly in rural or off-grid water heating systems.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>