Solid-oxide fuel cell assembly having simplified arrangement of current collectors

A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.