The problem of choosing the firing angles for accomplishing optimal performance in current-controlled switched reluctance generators (SRGs) is examined. The optimal performance is reached with the correct balance between the criteria of high efficiency and low torque ripple. The concept of the method is based on the optimal control of turn-on and turn-off angles according to electrical load requirements and depending on rotor speed and dc-link voltage. A simple controller is proposed that on-line determines the optimal firing angles. The suggested controller does not affect the complexity of the drive and the knowledge of the magnetization curves is not required for its implementation. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the resulting improvements of the proposed control scheme.