The program launch rules apply from October 1, 2009 to 11:59 p.m. Toronto time on November 30, 2009.

During the period immediately after the official launch of the FIT Program until the first transmission availability test scheduled after November 30, 2009, connection capacity will be allocated according to a different set of rules. The program launch rules are designed to allow projects that have already reached certain development milestones to be eligible for priority access to available connection capacity.

At the end of the program launch, applications to the FIT Program will be prioritized according to their estimated date of commercial operation, with the earliest estimated commercial operation dates getting top priority for connection capacity.

The program launch rules do not apply to projects that are defined as capacity allocation-exempt. These projects proceed directly to contract.