At system shutdown, supply of hydrogen to a fuel electrode of a fuel cell
stack is stopped, and at the same time dry air is supplied to an oxidant
electrode. The dry air is subsequently supplied also to the fuel
electrode, and finally the system is shut down. This allows optimal
conditioning of a fuel cell at system shutdown, and effectively
suppresses deterioration of a proton exchange membrane or a catalyst
layer of the fuel cell which is caused at system shutdown as well as
during storage. Furthermore, a fuel cell system excellent in safety and
the like can be provided.