True... and a large proportion of Germany's population is ok with that, see here (if you can read German): http://www.unendlich-viel-energie.de/de/panorama/akzeptanz-erneuerbarer-energien.html

It's also the case that wealthy homeowners usually consume more energy, thus effectively carrying a larger share.

The main idea behind above-market prices being mandated is that it creates an incentive for investment to promote renewable energy which wouldn't otherwise be competitive in the market, with the aim to bring prices down by promoting the technology. Germany (as a state, i.e. its population, represented by its governments in the last decades) decided that cheap energy with a large environmental impact is less desirable than more expensive renewable energy.

Just as a comparison, here are rough price estimates for a 5-10 kWpeak installation in Germany (before sales tax), due to drop in 2012:

per kWpeak:
Panels: 1000-1500€
Cabling, Mounting kit: 100-150€
Installation: 250-350€
Inverter: 200-300€

per Installation:
AC wiring: 800€

This makes roughly 1800-2200€/kWpeak for a typical home installation. German law requires the utilities to buy the electricity from you at above market prices, so you get 24cts/kWh produced (and will produce roughly 1000kWh/kWpeak/year). You can see that this is a good deal here. Insurance is often included in the existing contracts and/or rather cheap (50€/year for liability insurance, 70€/year for theft/loss/earthquakes/etc...).

What do they charge where you live?