The invention relates to a radiation collector for heating a gas by means of light energy. The collector (100) has an inner flow channel (103), which is bounded toward the irradiation side by an absorber (102), and an outer flow channel (104), which at least partially surrounds the inner flow channel (103) and which is bounded toward the irradiation side by a transparent cover (101). The transparent cover (101) is formed by a flexible, thin-layer material web, in particular a transparent film. The transparent cover (101) is designed in such a way that air can flow from the outer region through the cover (101) into the outer flow channel. Preferably, the absorber also is formed by a flexible and thin-layer material web, in particular a light-absorbing film and/or a woven fabric, and is air-permeable such that air can flow from the outer flow channel through the absorber into the inner flow channel.
