ABSTRACT This article presents a simple method to obtain lagging power requirement of a single-phase cage induction machine as a self-excited induction generator (SEIG) in stand-alone mode. A static capacitor bank is considered to self excite the machine and to maintain its terminal voltage constant. Performance characteristics are then evaluated using the simple method and considering an approximate steady state equivalent circuit of the machine. The effects of speed and load variation on excitation requirement of the machine and on generated frequency have also been studied for different types of load. Experimental results are included.