Cash acquisition decision Solar Solutions is being considered for acquisition by Energy Resource. Energy Resource believes the combination would increase its cash inflows by $$30,000$ for each of the next five years and by $$58,000$ for each of the following five years. Solar Solutions has high financial leverage, and Energy Resource can expect its cost of capital to increase from $11\%$ to $14\%$ if the merger is undertaken. The cash price of Solar Solutions is $$115,000.$

a$.$ Would you recommend the merger?

b$.$ Would you recommend the merger if Energy Resource could use the $$115,000$ to purchase equipment that will return cash inflows of $$38,000$ per year for each of the next $10$ years?

a$.$ The net present value of the merger is $$.($Round to the nearest cent.$)$