Can solar energy replace fossil-fissile energy sources?

There is scepticism in many quarters as to the ability of solar energy capture devices to replace current fossil-fissile energy sources on a significant scale, even if they are economic on current costings. It has been argued that solar energy devices can deliver neither the quantity nor quality of energy needed to replicate themselves, far less drive the economy. This proposition is normally examined using energy pay-back calculations, using the concept of opportunity energy requirement. It is shown that this calculation, while of short term significance, does not reveal the true viability of a solar energy capture device. That viability is best expressed by calculating the replacement energy requirement, taking into account energy quality.