The trends of finding better alternatives for energy supplying; have become on top of the environmental, economic, and political trends, because using them leads eventually to achieving sustainability requirements. To achieve self-sufficiency in the energy field, many trends have emerged. Above all these trends comes the renewable energy sources such as the solar energy. Due to the defect in the way cities, especially buildings, are supplied with electrical energy in Egypt; it became mandatory to look for other techniques or systems. Of these, the photovoltaic systems are eminent due to their wide range of diversity and development. Many visions appeared to deal with these techniques effectively, especially with the rapid technological development in this field globally. With the multiplicity and complexity of these techniques, they had a clear reflection on the sustainability of the built and non-built environment. From the sustainable development concepts , this paper aims to explore the dimensions of the role of photovoltaic systems in fostering sustainability, demonstrate the features of this role, and verifying their applicability in Egyptian buildings and cities. In addition to determining the technological and architectural requirements, without which this role would never work. Hence, the paper began with the study motives, and emphasizing the need for these systems- as energy self-supplying systems- through observing the deficiency of the current approach. Next, comes a description of the techniques reached so far, and the ones available locally. To achieve the aim of the research, sustainability concepts, its evaluation systems, and its prominent features were reviewed. From this theoretical approach of technology features and sustainability concepts; the photovoltaic systems were referred to those concepts, their role in fostering sustainability-and the dimensions of that role- was illustrated. Besides, there was an analysis of some global applied practices, and the actual local trials. The paper was ended with a discussion of the role of photovoltaic systems in fostering sustainability, and locating the challenges of activating this role.