This paper presents the development of 10 kW permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) for small hydropower plants considering flow rates and net head. The initial and detailed design are determined using a load distribution method (LDM) which is a well-known method for designing an electric machine and a 2D-FEA which is performed for more accurate analysis of PMSG. The characteristic analysis results of proposed model with straight line magnet are satisfied with the initial model with curved magnet. Finally, the analysis and the design results are confirmed by the experimental results.