Hiring a solar pro typically costs around $70 per hour, with most solar heating installations taking 1 to 3 days. That usually adds $1,000 to $3,500 to your project, depending on system complexity, the need for custom mounting, and local labor rates. Plus, federal and state incentives can. . NLR analyzes the total costs associated with installing photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, and utility-scale ground-mount systems. This work has grown to include cost models for solar-plus-storage systems. Higher-end models and components could cost up to $12,000. The type of collector you choose significantly impacts the cost; flat plate collectors cost between $600 and $1,200, while. . The installation cost of solar powered heaters typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on system size and complexity. Installing solar-powered heaters can save you thousands on energy bills, but upfront costs vary widely. Solar savings are calculated using roof size and shape, shaded roof areas, local weather, local electricity prices, solar costs, and estimated incentives over time.