The photovoltaic systems connected to the grid consist of a renewable technology growing in the world energy matrix. However, for the competitiveness and diffusion of this technology to be boosted, it is necessary to integrate different actors in the photovoltaic value chain in a collaborative environment to overcome technical, economic, managerial, political and market barriers. Thus, the objective of this article is to identify the actors that compose the sector's value chain and the main factors that influence competitiveness and the adoption of distributed generation of photovoltaic energy. For this, a systematic review of the literature was conducted using the review protocol Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes, resulting in 81 articles distributed between 1989 and 2019. The conclusions point out that the actors in the value chain and the factors that influence the sector's competitiveness are concentrated in several spheres, presenting dependency relationships established in the upstream, midstream, downstream, and auxiliary chain segments. The developed value chain presents uniquely the compilation of interactions between different actors. Also, the factors that make photovoltaic technology competitive are discussed, helping the government, investors, companies, electricity concessionaires, and consumers to expand the diffusion of this renewable energy source and contribute to economic, environmental, and social developments.