A novel combination of a parametrically optimised UWB meshed circular disc monopole antenna with a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cell is presented and discussed. The results indicate that the fabricated meshed solar monopole antenna operates across the frequency band 2.33-10.8 GHz with an average broadband gain of 4.1 dBi. It is demonstrated that by meshing the monopole pattern an adequate solar efficiency of 13.1% can be achieved. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.