WATCH: Ryanair boss goes green on his Midlands farm with major investment in solar panels [Video]

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has begun a green transformation of his farm in the Midlands – and insists State grants for solar panels should be fast-tracked to help farmers reduce their carbon footprint.

Despite being sceptical about solar in the past, he has now revealed that he has invested just over €140,000 installing hundreds of solar panels and 90kW of batteries at his 2,000-acre Gigginstown estate outside Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

The 231-panel Swyft Energy system is one of the country’s biggest agri-solar installations, capable of generating up to 100,000kWh of electricity a year.

But the airline boss, 63, insists the grant format should be sped up to help farmers who want to reduce their reliance on the national grid.

“Government grants are critical, particularly for smaller farmers,” he said.

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“We’ve had to wait several months after installation to receive the grant – I can afford to do that – but I …