Our Story & Hydraulic Engineering Breakthrough
Solaris Hydrobotics was founded in 2019 by a team of seasoned professionals with decades of experience in engineering, energy, and industrial automation: Ehud Nagler and Menashe Shamir, later joined by Dov Friedman and Tamir Sagie. The company’s foundation rests on a breakthrough in hydraulic engineering—Ehud Nagler’s invention of a high-torque, low-pressure hydraulic engine. This patented innovation paved the way for a new generation of autonomous robotic solutions specifically designed for the PV industry.
The synergy between engineering innovation and strategic early-stage funding led by Dov Friedman allowed Solaris to rapidly transition from R&D to full-scale commercialization. Today, the company is a recognized technology leader, delivering cutting-edge, water-based robotic cleaning systems that thrive in the world’s most challenging environments.
Solaris systems are engineered to do more than clean; they maximize total energy yield, extend asset longevity, and significantly reduce Operations & Maintenance (O&M) costs. With a growing portfolio of patented technologies and a leadership team deeply rooted in automation and renewable energy, Solaris is setting the global standard for reliability and efficiency in solar farm maintenance.
Leadership
Tamir Sagie
COO & CMO
Hands on executive manager with three decades of experience, specializing in renewable energy, software, the Internet of Things, and data analytics. Tamir can motivate teams to achieve company goals and strategy. He has studied photography at the Hadassah College in Jerusalem and a certificate in object-oriented programming.
Menashe Shamir
VP RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Veteran developer and leader in many technical fields, from military systems and technologies to consumer products. Menashe has extensive experience at all levels of establishing and running an industrial company with an emphasis on particularly large technologies and machining.
Ofer Shanny
VP SALES AND MARKETING
Leads the company’s sales and marketing efforts, backed by deep expertise in solar energy systems and advanced monitoring technologies. Brings a strong track record of driving growth and delivering innovative, data-driven solutions to the renewable energy market.
Eliyahu Portnoy
PROJECT MANAGER
Oversees the end-to-end execution of Solaris Hydrobotics projects, from planning and deployment to client delivery and performance optimization. Combines strong technical knowledge with hands-on field experience to ensure seamless integration of our autonomous cleaning robots.
Zvi Yemini
CHAIRMAN & CEO
Mr. Zvi Yemini is a seasoned Israeli entrepreneur and innovator who has founded multiple international companies in technology and design. A Technion graduate with global business experience, he has developed groundbreaking products across industries, generating billions in revenue and serving on numerous prestigious boards and innovation centers.
Ehud Nagler
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Inventor of the Hydrobotic motor and a serial entrepreneur in the field of renewable energy, with additional expertise in mechanics and plastics. Ehud set up his first startup and Hydrobotic motor 20 years ago during a sabbatical from Rafael, where he was a chief developer and department head. He has a BSc in mechanical engineering from the Technion.