France, May 23 -- Fontaine d'Ouche, a social housing district in Dijon, is setting the pace for energy innovation in Europe. Thanks to solar panels, smart tech and deep renovations, the neighbourhood now produces more energy than it consumes.

More than 10,000 square metres of solar panels have been installed across the area. Along with energy upgrades and new technologies, the project has turned this working-class part of central France into a model for sustainable living.

Around 8,000 people live in Fontaine d'Ouche, with some 1,100 residents in the main renovation zone where social housing units are now fitted with solar panels.

The energy produced is shared and partly owned by the community.

"We produce 118 percent of our energy ne...