The world's solar photovoltaic (PV) panels won't contribute any 'real' energy to the globe until 2015 at the earliest and no later than 2020.
Clean electricity from panels has only just surpassed the enormous amount used in its construction, which mostly derives from fossil fuels.
Michael Dale, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford's Global Climate & Energy Project (GECP), said: "This analysis shows that the industry is making positive strides.
"Despite its fantastically fast growth rate, PV is producing ? or just about to start producing ? a net energy benefit to society."
The vast energy used to construct solar panels is due in part to the initial step of melting silica rock at 3,000 degrees fahrenheit.
This heat is created using electricity, which commonly derives from coal-fired power plants.
Five years ago the panels were consuming 75 per cent more energy than it produced.
However, researchers say the situation will improve due to more durable panels, better conversion of sunlight and enhanced production processes.
Director of GCEP and study co-author Sally Benson said: "Developing new technologies with lower energy requirements will allow us to grow the industry at a faster rate."
The study predicts if current growth rates continues around 10 per cent of the world's electricity could derive from solar panels.
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