When measuring net energy, the lifetime costs have to be assessed not just the production costs. These costs include the costs of installation, backup for intermittent renewables, maintenance, etc.. and can easily be multiples of the production costs. The people doing such assessments are not industry lobbyists (I would expect such ad hominem attacks from deniers but not on this site) but actual scientists. There was a good discussion of this at the Robert Scribbler site. Some deficiencies of the paper on German and Swiss PV were found, but it was considered that they are generally correct. The Fraunhofer institute is an organization specializing in research and industry projects for solar, not exactly an uninterested party!
We have used the very high energy density fossil fuels to build our complex societies, while ignoring the full costs - such as climate change. Now we can't do that anymore, and we have to accept the all-in costs of the energy we use - wherever we get it from. Overall, means less, more expensive, energy available. Solar and wind have a place, but fueling a much less energy intensive society. The quicker we accept that reality the better.