A solar receiver is disclosed. The solar receiver is modular, has multiple tube panels in a rectangular/square/polygonal/circular configuration, and is designed for use with molten salt or another heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid flows in a vertical serpentine path (705) through the sides (facets) of the solar receiver. Inlet headers (716) in the facet being laterally separated from each other and outlet headers (714) in the facet are laterally separated from each other. The multiple facets (712) being arranged on an exterior of a support structure to form a NE flow quadrant, a NW flow quadrant, a SE flow quadrant, and a SW flow quadrant that are each defined by a single facet. The tube panels in each facet being oriented to locate the headers in an upper plane and a lower plane. The headers in each plane are laterally separated from each other, and the facets are fluidly connected so as to form two independent flow paths. One flow path including only the NE flow quadrant and the SW flow quadrant, and the other flow path including only the NW flow quadrant and the SE flow quadrant. The solar receiver can be shop assembled and can be used with a support tower to form a solar power system.
