Power generation characteristics of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for alcohol-based fuels are measured and compared with those for simulated reformed gas in equilibrium compositions. We demonstrate direct-alcohol SOFCs for methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol. Current-voltage characteristics for the methanol-based fuel are comparable to those for the simulated reformed gas at 1000degreesC because of fast kinetics for thermal decomposition of methanol with H2O. With increasing carbon number of alcohols and/or with decreasing operational temperature of SOFCs, a decrease in cell voltage is observed associated with slower decomposition and/or reforming kinetics of alcohols. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.