Problem 14-5 External equity financing

Coastal Carolina Heating and Cooling Inc. has a 6-month backlog of orders for its patented solar heating system. To meet this demand, management plans to expand production capacity by 15% with a $15 million investment in plant and machinery. The firm wants to maintain a 30% debt level in its capital structure. It also wants to maintain its past dividend policy of distributing 30% of last year's net income. In 2016, net income was $5 million. How much external equity must Coastal Carolina seek at the beginning of 2017 to expand capacity as desired? Assume that the firm uses only debt and common equity in its capital structure. Write out your answer completely. For example, 25 million should be entered as 25,000,000. Round your answer to the nearest cent.

Answer: $ ___________