The Government says shares in Genesis Energy will be priced in a $1.35 to $1.65 range and would include a loyalty bonus share offer.

The average power bill for a family of four will rise by 2.4 per cent this year, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges said yesterday.

Full details of the Genesis Energy float will be released today including the price range for the shares, a bonus share scheme and the timetable for its sharemarket listing.

Investors wanting more certainty around Labour-Greens policy for overhauling the electricity sector before the election appear to be out of luck.

Independent research house Morningstar has valued state-owned Genesis Energy at around $1.69 billion to $1.89 billion in total, or about $3.25 to $3.50 a share.

The structure of the Genesis Energy float is unusual but makes sense given the complexities of the company, says one investment banker.

The sharemarket float of Genesis Energy - the details of which are due out today - is likely to proceed along standard lines.

John Key has confirmed the partial privatisation of Genesis Energy will begin soon but has underlined the sale will be the last one under a National Government.

Solar power systems can save households money, but don't expect them to eliminate your power bill.

Newly NZX-listed Meridian Energy beat its prospectus forecast for earnings thanks to high inflows to hydro lakes.

All in all, the Greens' scheme will appeal mainly to those who crave energy independence - not anywhere near the 10,000 a year the party predicts will install solar panels.

Your Views: Under the Solar Homes scheme, New Zealanders would be able to borrow up to $15,000 from the Government to install photovoltaic panels and then pay it back via their council rates over 15 years. Is this a good idea?

Kiwis would be able to borrow up to $15,000 to install photovoltaic panels at home and pay back via rates.

International mining giant Rio Tinto said the outlook for the metal was positive despite a 9 per cent fall in spot prices over 2013.

The Government will loan households up to $15,000 at low interest rates to help them install solar power if the Greens are elected.

Prime Minister John Key has defended his Government's $30 million payout to the owners of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter after the Greens and Labour said parent company Rio Tinto's US$3.7 billion profit showed the payment was unjustified.

Profits are up 10pc at world mining giant Rio Tinto - in a year where NZ taxpayers paid the company $30m to keep the Tiwai Pt smelter open.

Opposition's single-buyer model misses target, Business NZ-sponsored probe finds.

In the socialist state of Venezuela that is home to the world's largest oil and gas reserves, petrol is cheaper than water. But not for much longer.

Feel you're paying too much for electricity? Not according to a new report, which says consumers never actually paid the full cost of building NZ's power stations.