The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, Golden, CO) initiated the development of a climatological solar radiation (CSR) model to estimate climatological averages of daily-total solar radiation at a national scale. The CSR model is operational and has been successfully applied to the United States as well as several international areas. However, much of the necessary spatial data preprocessing and preparation as well as model validation was previously undertaken independently from the CSR model execution using stand-alone and manual techniques. NREL's GIS has offered the opportunity to deploy the CSR model in an integrated modeling application framework that facilitates the iterative execution and processing of data both required by the model and based on model results. The CSR model has been developed external to the GIS software. The objective of the integrated application is to provide a simple yet intuitive interface for running the CSR model in an integrated application framework that facilitates iterative execution and visualization of model results. Previously, data preprocessing and data preparation tasks, key components in preparing the model for execution, were undertaken independently with the GIS and not integrated with CSR model execution. Collaborating with Innovative GIS Solutions, Inc. (IGIS, Fort Collins, CO), NREL has developed an integrated application that allows NREL researchers easy access to advanced GIS capabilities in a coherent and unified application environment. A key component of the joint development has been the formalization of a GIS database management infrastructure to manage the environment for running the model, as well as the project-based input and output data. The data management infrastructure also includes tools to aid in model development and validation, as well as the documentation and archival of modeling runs. Additionally, spatial techniques for evaluating and validating all input data parameters are being developed. This includes enhanced modeling features to determine map error and levels of uncertainty. The GIS enhanced CSR model allows for the visual examination of both input data and model results. An intuitive interface includes GIS tools for data processing, visualization, and hard-copy output of maps. The flexible framework of the application environment will allow for future enhancements in the spatial analysis, integration, and comparison of new data and in enhanced model development. The development of an integrated application facilitates more timely and efficient operation and evaluation of the CSR model by both NREL staff and external clients. Staff are now able to focus more on interpretation and validation of the model output than on the mechanics of operation and data transfer. This paper will review the issues involved in integrating a sophisticated solar radiation model with GIS technology. Project examples will be presented to illustrate capabilities and opportunities.