Book excerpt: This book highlights the role that renewable energy can play in achieving sustainable development. It focuses on rural areas of developing countries, looking in particular at stand-alone solar home systems and grid-connected biomass cogeneration plant. It provides a summary of the main barriers to the successful transfer of renewable energy technology, illustrated by case studies drawn from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, the South Pacific, Kenya and India. Options for overcoming the barriers and the role of key players are presented. The book also outlines the potential role of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol in facilitating renewable energy technology transfer in the context of climate change.The book will appeal to academics, consultants, technology manufacturers, international funding bodies, multilateral and bilateral aid agencies, policy-makers and planners in developing countries.