Abstract A numerical study is aimed at comparing dissimilar types of repeated-rib roughness: arc-shape with gap and V-shape with gap on the absorber plate of the solar air heater having similar shape and size working under identical boundary conditions. Relative gap width (g/e) of 1, relative roughness height of 0.04, the relative roughness pitch of 10, p/P = 0.65, d/W = 0.69, No. of gaps = 1, attack angle α = 600 of the rib, heat flux 1000 W/m2, etc. are kept constant and variation in range of Reynolds number is 3000–15000. Numerical simulations are conducted with the help of ANSYS CFD tool, and results have been validated with the experimental studies. The V-shape ribs have maximum frictional loss penalty of 4.05 and Nusselt number enhancement of 3.4 at Re 3000. The arc-shape ribs have maximum frictional loss penalty of 3.94 and Nusselt number enhancement of 2.4 for Re 15000. The maximum THPP for the V-shape ribs and arc shape ribs are 2.21 and 1.5 respectively at Re 3000.