the article properly as it is clear that zero-financed installations go at least some way of addressing your objections regarding subsidies. John64: the install of solar panels can now be paid for over time. The solar tariffs you complain of as middle-class welfare (feed-in) are not attractive anymore so most installs are done to reduce their power bills. @john64 - the main problem is that the absolute numbers do not show the percentages, and there's no real way to do these comparisons. I have a small installation, FIT of 60c/kWh in NSW. New installations get 22c/kWh. Baby bonus was well and truly different - it was available to all who had kids in a certain time period. My kids are well too old to qualify. Solar subsidies are intended to increase the uptake of solar installations - reducing the nation's reliance on the dirty coal-fired generation units the governments have relied on for so long. I am disappointed that the Moree solar farm proposal has fallen through, possibly due to political interference by coalition MPs trying to drive a political statement in support of the climate deniers. I dare suggest that one of the major reasons why the "inner city latte set" have low take ups of hole solar is due to such areas having a higher proportion of renters and otherwise young and transient people (e.g. Melbourne, the electorate of Green MP Adam Bandt, would have a high proportion of students from RMIT and Melbourne University within its boundaries),