Abstract: The application of steel short piles in practical engineering is restricted due to its unclear bearing mechanism. However, due to advantages such as low cost, high strength, minimal soil displacement, easy construction, and convenient transportation, these piles are widely used in photovoltaic power projects in desert areas. In order to accurately reveal the horizontal and vertical bearing performance of steel piles in desert regions, horizontal load tests for different types of steel piles (including cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional area, and burial depth) and vertical compression and uplift load tests were conducted in a specific sandy site. The study analyzed the influence of parameters such as cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional size, and pile length on the bearing performance of steel piles. Research findings indicate: (1) The horizontal bearing performance of pipe piles and H-shaped steel piles is signifi-cantly better than that of C-shaped steel piles and trough-shaped steel piles. Compared with C-shaped steel piles and trough-shaped steel piles, pipe piles and H-shaped steel piles exhibit advantages in resisting wind loads, with the horizontal bearing performance of H-shaped steel piles closely related to the cross-sectional size and pile length. (2) The vertical bearing capacity of pipe piles and H-shaped steel piles is also significantly better than that of C-shaped steel piles and trough-shaped steel piles. Moreover, the compressive and tensile bearing performance of H-shaped steel piles is positively correlated with cross-sectional size and pile length. When the length of pile is the same, the vertical bearing capacity of H-shaped steel piles is similar to that of pipe piles. (3) The bearing performance of H-shaped steel piles is more prominent compared to other pile types (C-shaped steel piles, trough-shaped, and pipe piles) in sandy soil area. Furthermore, when compared with traditional pipe piles, H-shaped steel piles requires less materials and can create greater economic value, making them an excellent choice for the foundation of desert photovoltaic bracket foundations. The research results in this paper have reference for engineering applications.