Solar car race speeds off from Darwin

The World Solar Challenge is set to start in Darwin with cars racing 3000 kilometres to Adelaide on the power of the sun.

Solar cars from more than 20 countries are set to race from Darwin to Adelaide in the World Solar Challenge.

The race starts on Sunday with the leading cars likely to cover the 3000 kilometres by Thursday just on the power of the sun.

As well as a number of local entrants, teams have come from as far as Iran, Belgium, Chile and the United States.

The Dutch Nuon team will be the hot favourites as they try to win the event for a seventh time.

But others will be snapping at their heels with the team from the University of Michigan hoping their smaller and narrower car will give them the edge.

This year's race marks 30 years since the first World Solar Challenge in 1987.