Set the volt meter to read dc volts.
How to tell which wire is positive solar panel.
With parallel solar panels the positive terminal from one panel is connected to the positive terminal of another panel and the negative terminals of the two panels are connected together.
When stringing in series the wire from the positive terminal of one solar panel is connected to the negative terminal of the next panel and so on.
Make sure that the locking tabs snap in for a firm connection.
Wire solar panels in parallel by connecting the positive wire of the first solar panel to the positive terminal of the second panel and so on.
Only your volt meter will tell you the truth.
When stringing panels in series each panel additional adds to the total voltage v of the string but the current i in the string remains the same.
A simple voltage reading will show you the polarity of a solar panel even when inside.
Actually there is a color code standard for dc pv systems and as the nec code book does not specify ac or dc the color code applies equally to both such systems.
Another way to find the polarity of the solar panel is to check with a volt meter.
To measure across the solar panel terminals or wires put the red positive meter lead on one side and the black negative on the other.
Connect this cable to the mc4 male adaptor.
Connect the negative wires together in the same fashion and the wires off the last panel in the parallel circuit are connected to the battery.
Extend the output wires of the solar panel the positive wire of the solar panel is terminated with an mc4 female connector marked.