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We use a detailed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) model for micro-grid applications to analyze the effect of failure and degradation on system performance. Design and operational constraints on a component- and system level are presented. A degrees of freedom analysis identifies controlled and manipulated system variables which are important for control. Experimental data are included to model complex degradation phenomena of the SOFC unit. Rather than using a constant value, a spatially distributed degradation rate as function of temperature and current density is used that allows to study trajectory-based performance deterioration. The SOFC unit is assumed to consist of multiple stacks. The failure scenario studied is the loss of one individual SOFC stack, e.g. due to breakage of sealing or a series of fuel cells. Simulations reveal that degradation leads to significant drifts from the design operating point. Moreover, failure of individual stacks may bring the still operating power generation unit into a regime where further failures and accelerated degradation is more likely. It is shown that system design, dimensioning, operation and control are strongly linked. Apart from specific quantitative results perhaps the main practical contribution are the collected constraints and the degrees of freedom analysis. • System analysis of SOFC-based plant combining design, control and reliability aspects. • System simulation of degradation effects and failure scenario. • Parameter-dependent degradation rates with ohmic and activation polarization loss contributions. • Collection of design and operational constraints on plant level. • Set of controlled and manipulated variables of system for control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]