I've read a bit about this issue. Generally the non-return on energy is just another fossil fuel ruse to try to keep people from buying solar. From what I can gather there was a time when it may have cost nearly as much energy to build a panel or module as it ever returned. However in the last ten years with the increase in panel efficiencies, improved manufacturing methods and higher volume the energy costs have decreased dramatically.
Here's a link to more recent data that suggests an energy payback of one to four years.
https://solarcraft.com/solar-energy-myths-facts/
The graph is on that page too.
JJ