Abstract: Over one billion people—one in five globally—lack electricity to light their homes or conduct business. Many more only have access to poor quality service. Widespread access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy is critical for achieving inclusive, low-emissions growth and development. But which technologies, and business models work? Which don’t? This presentation demonstrates how small-scale renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, cookstoves, biogas digesters, microhydro units, and wind turbines are helping planners eradicate energy poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through an in-depth exploration of case studies in Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka, the presentation highlights the applicability of different approaches to the promotion of renewable energy in developing countries. It also illuminates how household and commercial innovations occur (or fail to occur) within particular energy governance regimes. It lastly, and uniquely, explores successful case studies alongside failures or “worst practice” examples that are often just as revealing as those that met their targets. Based on these successes and failures, the presentation presents salient lessons for policymakers and practitioners wishing to expand energy access and raise standards of living in some of the world’s poorest communities.