The aim of the present study is the evaluation and the location of the maximum temperature values within the solid and porous components of a planar SOFC under the effect of total polarization: Ohmic, activation, concentration and the chemical reaction. The temperature field in SOFC components (interconnection, cathode, anode and electrolyte) is obtained by developing a mathematical model in FORTRAN language. The mathematical model predictions show the effect of the overpotentials on the thermal gradient and its locations in an SOFC with two geometries: i) anode or ii) electrolyte supported. The results are also discussed, following the SOFC low or high operating temperatures. Copyright (C) 2010, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.