There are other direct and indirect solar subsidies as well. One is ARENA grants to commercial solar projects. For example Moree solar farm had over 50% of its capital costs paid by different government grants. Private profits public capital.

Then there is the 'duck curve' problem whereby gas generators have to ramp up quickly in the late afternoon as residential solar wanes. In California that is about 13 GW in summer but they have cheap gas unlike eastern Australia. It seems home solar owners like to keep the aircon running even if it means reliance on the grid
http://www.wattclarity.com.au/2018/02/queensland-region-sees-a-new-record-peak-scheduled-demand-at-1850-on-monday-12th-february/
In future they won't be getting the generous daytime feed-in tariff to pay for nighttime power use.

The main effect of this is moral rather than financial - to turn millions of Australians into thieves. It is in the interest of the regime to corrupt everyone because then they can get away with anything without being blamed.

If I could I would install solar panels on my roof and disconnect from the grid, but my house is too old for that. Obviously I would never ask for a subsidy - I prefer to continue being stolen from.

Yes Yuyutsu

Call the Electricity Nazis in their black helicopters to find the "Thieves" hiding under panels.

then camps?

What generous subsidy would that be David? The one that sees the power Authority pay me 8 cents per KwH? As they hook into me at 24 cents per KwH! For that which they sell back to me, but only after they've made a bigger profit from me than their other sources of revenue?

All around the country signed and sealed solar panel contracts are proving not to be worth the paper they are written on?

Clearly, power authorities are a law unto themselves, able to bill you because their wires pass in front of your property? Or charge a premium to guarantee supply?

And if that doesn't sound like a government protected protection racket? I'd like to know what is!

It's well past time government stopped some industries from vying for your custom? And here I'm referring to the tacit if unspoken prohibition on nuclear power? Not just any nuclear power but rather.

Walk away safe, molten salt, (2 cents per KwH Quote, unquote) thorium power!

Or could it be that David and many other influential politicians with the power and or influence needed, are themselves "arms length" investors in 18th century, dirty, polluting, contaminating, coal fired energy and raised the solar subsidy, because it's eating into his unearned, "arms length" dividend stream? Surely not?

That would see this subject raised due to some unrevealed or "arms length" commercial interest?

And if widespread enough in political circles? Would possibly explain the insane if unstated prohibition on purely peaceful purpose, nuclear power?

It can't be, our current, limited energy policy or energy crisis, can be sheeted home, almost exclusively, to fear of green reprisals at the ballot box surely? Or can it?

What's your view on nuclear power David? Not just any nuclear power, but proven, walk away safe, molten salt, thorium power?

Or is it, you just can't be bothered, or personally compromised by your coal fired, "arms length" investments?

Well that would explain your silence on, for peaceful purpose only, nuclear power? Or your untrammelled verbosity on solar panel subsidies?

Still waiting David!
Alan B.

Meanwhile of course the good senator does not mention the government subsidies provided to the coal and fossil fuels industry - as described here: http://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/ffs/#

What would happen to the coal and fossil fuel industries in a truly non-subsidized level playing field market?

Dear Daffy,

«Meanwhile of course the good senator does not mention the government subsidies provided to the coal and fossil fuels industry»

Yes, but why just them? Anyone who accepts Medicare payments or government pensions, works for pay or contracts in government service, sells them anything or indeed, receives a salary and perks for being elected, including the author - THIEVES ALL!

DD the big ticket item appears to be the diesel rebate which farmers and all miners get, whether they mine nasty coal or nice lithium. The irony of it is that diesel is a fossil fuel that spews out about 2.5kg of CO2 per litre burned. That rebate is a bit like including waste coal mine gas in the RET. Are tax breaks even subsidies?

Coal fired electricity wholesales for about $50 per Mwh. The LGC subsidy is $85 for commercial wind and solar on top of the market price. Take all support mechanisms away and see who will complain the loudest

1. Just about everyting is cross or directly SUBSIDIZED. Its part of tax for government budgets and vote-buying in almost all developed countries.

2. We also need to remember the author is a Senator for NSW. A state that mainly relies on Highly Subsidised COAL fueled power stations http://www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/investors/electricity-generation

business's and jobs done away with in order for false high priests to line their pockets. Then you have the totally dumbed down getup clowns having faith in the pseudo science rubbish that preaches that if we do away with coal we will change the climate. What fools. And then we have China building 500 new coal power stations. The real traitors are the Liberal party. Besides a few regressives like Turnbull only the gullible would continue to play this game of self loathing while forcing pensioners to fry in summer and freeze in winter.

The real fools runner, are folk just like you able to ignore irrefutable evidence as you of all people, clearly almost the most intellectually changed poster commenting here? Screams at other folk, you is all fools!

I won't waste too much time with you, given I have never suffered fools gladly. Besides, it wouldn't matter how compelling the evidence was! You would just ignore it? And you have indisputable form.

Particularly if the proven science, or I daresay even the mighty irrefutable truth, conflicted with your commercial interests or brainwashed beliefs. The latter would likely trump the facts each and every time?

Christians are not normally disingenuous, mendacious, recalcitrant, intrangiscent and routinely abusive, Bullcrap artists? But there surely has to be exceptions that prove the rule; and given you are a legend in your own lunchbox for being surprisingly economical with the truth?

It may be you could be one of those, brainwashed from birth exceptions?
You'll have a nice day now y'hear.
Alan B.

I would like to know what Connections DL has got to the Coal Industry. Does he, or his wife or kin, own Shares or any other connection, from which he profits. Or does he get Donations, directly or indirectly, from the Coal Industry.

It has always been a conundrum to me, If there is one Government owned Energy Organization then the CEO would get paid a Government Salary consummate with their position, plus Perks & Bonuses. Fair enough.

If there are multiple independent Energy Companies then each CEO will want to be paid in the Millions, plus Perks & Bonuses.

How, in heavens name, does that make Electricity cheaper? Competition? What competition? The Spirit of Competition is a false premise we have been told to fall for in this case. Much like the price of Fuel.

It all has to do with Subsidies. All these Companies get subsidized by the Government which means more Red Tape, Public Servants & layers of Bureaucracy. Subsequently more Tax has to be paid to cover these Subsidies. Like a dog chasing it's tail. These Companies reduce their Taxes to Zero, then they collect Subsidies. So in effect the Government is paying them to produce electricity for which they charge the Public & they are taking home a grand Salary. There is something wrong with this System.

Every Government Building & Public Building should have Solar Power to reduce their costs. All new houses should be built with Solar installed, Electricity & Hot Water.

AB, while I may not often agree with you I can`t disagree with your view on runner.