For the past three years, Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd (FCT) has embarked upon an ambitious design, build and deploy program for a 5 kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) combined heat and power system for small stationary applications such as homes, small commercial enterprises, industrial applications, and remote sites. This program culminated in the delivery of 4 ALPHA systems to Germany, Japan, Alaska and Michigan. Each installation varied significantly from each other regarding power output requirements, fuel input parameters and general operating modes. To date (March 2004) these units have operated for almost 15,000 hours in both grid-tie and stand-alone modes, with one unit operating for over 4,300 hours grid-connected without any interruption or degradation, even during several lengthy grid outages. The purpose of this paper will be to summarize the unique aspects of each of these demonstrations and highlight the lessons learned for use in the development of FCT’s follow-on BETA 5kW program.