I would have loved to start with 12 or 24 volts - I would have had a system up and running a long time ago (as I attempt to piece together bits cheaply) and probably gotten the urge to have an RE system extinguished or at least my expectations lowered... And had more money to burn at the gas pumps etc...
48V not only reduces losses on wiring runs but also allows inverter circuits and chargers to operate more efficiently.
This may be my opinion only but it's also cheaper and easier to wire a series string of batteries than to make a parallel bus arrangement - and copper cable and lugs are not getting any cheaper.
The key idea is never have to buy twice - do not scrimp on cabling or fuse holders, circuit breakers etc. and keep an upgrade path in mind every step of the way...
