POV-Ray [plugin] (updated: 2016/Aug/08)

[maker]

And here are the results of my tests.
1st image: as exported :: 2nd: edited in pov-ray


(sorry, it's actually emission 5, not 2)

Add keyword to finish: E.g.
Finish {specular rgb 0.25 emission rgb <2, 2, 2> ...}

Hopefully this answers your first question.

Meanwhile I'll try to digest what you've said (including your links.) Thanks for the link to AO. There's also this: AO baking, if you're interested. (Uses "Mesh Camera" feature of Pov-ray). His "lightsys" is supposedly is better for realistic lighting using Pov-ray.

Edit: Just checked out your "media" link. At first sight, it does seem better - where we need to show some material (as in neon-lights.) Though I wonder how "emission" light Unioned with copy of obj with materials will work. And, of course, for animations, it may be a lot better.