I am not disputing the relationship of ERoEI to ROI. What I question is its basic relevance in judging solar and wind devices. These devices are extensions of the fossil fuel supply system. There is a vast infrastructure of mining, complex processing, massive machines, large manufacturing facilities, multiply means of transportation as well as the regular accounted ERoEI inputs. The actual direct energy contribution of this infrastructure may by small but the devices do not get made without it. How are they factored in? This makes these devices questionably renewable, alternative, clean, green or even sustainable. See: A story in pictures and diagrams:
From Machines making machines making machines
http://sunweber.blogspot.com/2011/12/machines-making-machines-making.html 
