A stator (102) for a generator includes a ferromagnetic core (120) with two or more poles (110) arranged about a rotation axis (108), a direct current (DC) field coil (118), permanent magnets and four or more alternating current (AC) coils (114, 116). The DC field coil is wrapped about the pole. A first of the AC coils is wrapped about the pole at a location circumferentially spaced from a second of the AC coils. Generator systems and methods for operating self-exciting synchronous reluctance generators are also described.