An area of technology in which Australia has played a leading role is solar power. The most difficult solar car race in the world takes place each year from Darwin to Adelaide. The race is used mainly as a way of showing the world the latest developments in solar technology. The first race took place in 1987 and was won by ‘Sunraycer’. In 1990 the race was won by the ‘Spirit of Biel Bienne’ which used solar cells that had been invented and developed at the University of New South Wales. These cells were the most efficient solar cells yet invented, able to convert up to 24% of the light that fell on them into electricity. There is a long way to go until solar-powered cars will ever take over from our petrol-powered vehicles. But other uses for solar energy continue to be developed, particularly for remote parts of Australia where it is very expensive to be connected with other sources of power.