Model: collectors of areal density σ orbit a star (L, M). Radiation/gravity ratio β = L/(4πGMcσ) is independent of radius; β≥1 blows the swarm away (Sun: σcrit ≈ 0.77 g/m²). Random overlap captures 1−e−c of the light. Plate temperature T = ((1−η)L/(8πσSBr²))1/4. Kardashev K = (log10P−6)/10. Markers are patches standing in for huge numbers of real collectors; the star is not to scale.