The manual for my SunXtender AGM says it can tolerate up to 5C inrush (page 20), but not clear what it can take sustained without damage. I charge at 0.2C, which is the lowest without having to alter charge profile to ensure it gets fully charged.
Forklift batteries meaning FLA? They probably have a preferred charge rate around 0.12C, to stir the electrolyte. Find a technical manual for it.
Rolls Surette has batteries people report equally long life from (like 15 to 20 years.)
This link and the one before it list a number of charge controllers.
Is it possible use a MPPT charge controller and have my panels hooked in series to make 24V and keep my batteries at 12V?
diysolarforum.com
I'm not entirely up on inverters of the 2kW size. I use SMA which is 6kW. Victron, Outback, Schneider are top names, and some models could be around that wattage. MPP has a economical hybrid, one is 24V. A thing to watch for is no-load current draw, because inverter can drain a small battery. Some have an idle or power-save mode that wakes up periodically to check for loads.
I think I've heard that Victron using Cerbo GX and a battery shunt can manage SCC, regulating battery current while supplying extra for inverter as needed. That would matter mostly if you have more available PV current than battery can accept. Less of a problem if you use lithium because it can usually accept 0.5C (while at moderate temperature.)
With four batteries, could also do 48V. Not much Ah, but if you had an over-paneled system that regulated battery current, could run large loads while the sun shines. You would probably upgrade it later.